Telangana BRS Leader Demands Implementation of Kamareddy Declaration

Hyderabad- Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K. Kavitha today urged the Congress government in Telangana to implement the Kamareddy Declaration, which promises significant benefits for Backward Classes (BCs). Kavitha submitted a caste survey report to Busani Venkateswara Rao, Chairman of the Dedicated BC Commission, earlier today and addressed the media following the submission.

The Dedicated Commission, formed earlier this month, aims to determine reservations for BCs in local bodies. Kavitha emphasized the government's responsibility to fulfill the promises made in the Kamareddy Declaration, a key election manifesto pledge from last year.

The declaration outlines several commitments, including granting statutory status to the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule BC sub-plan, investing Rs 1 lakh crore in BC welfare over five years, establishing a Most Backward Classes (MBC) Welfare department, and creating corporations for all BC castes. Additionally, it pledged to increase BC reservations in local bodies from 23% to 42% within six months of assuming power.

Kavitha, a Member of the Telangana Legislative Council, submitted the report alongside representatives from Telangana Jagruthi and the United Phule Front. The report, compiled by Telangana Jagruthi following an in-depth study, presents a detailed analysis of the caste survey and includes 20 key demands for the Commission's consideration.

Kavitha criticized the BJP's stance on caste enumeration, stating that the party's affidavit to the Supreme Court against conducting a caste census and its history of opposition to such measures demonstrate an inherent bias against BCs, SCs, and STs. She called upon all BCs to denounce the BJP's position.

While acknowledging the BRS government's efforts for BC welfare, Kavitha highlighted the Congress government's delay in establishing the Dedicated Commission, which was only formed after BRS protests. She further pointed out the lack of funding and staff provided to the Commission, despite the pressure to deliver a report quickly. Kavitha demanded the Commission's independence and emphasized that its report should encompass all aspects of BC welfare, not just political reservations.

She urged the government to clarify the legal standing of the caste survey and address the concerns of BCs. Kavitha concluded by warning that if their demands are not met, a movement will be launched on the demands for BCs like the movement undertaken for women’s reservation. Kavitha asserted that regional parties in power brought social and economic justice to BCs.