I Will Get Muslim Quota Just Like I Got Telangana Statehood, Says KCR 

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday expressed confidence that he would secure 12 percent reservations for Muslims in education and employment in the same manner in which he had achieved statehood for Telangana.

Speaking in the Assembly, KCR said, “When I started the statehood movement in 2001, everyone used to say it was impossible. But they were proved wrong. In the same way, doubts are being raised that it is not possible to secure 12 percent quota for Muslims against the directions of Supreme Court’s cap of 50 percent on overall reservations. I am confident that this too will be achieved soon.”

KCR said that since Tamil Nadu was allowed to implement quotas above the Supreme Court limit of 50 percent, TS too would get the relaxation with the cooperation of the Centre.

The CM said he had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on two or three occasions after the TS Legislature passed the Reservation Bill last year enhancing quota for Muslims and STs and briefed him about the need for Centre to approve the law based on the social and economic backwardness of the community.

“The PM responded positively and promised to consider it favorably at an appropriate time. I have full faith in him,” CM said.

KCR said he had requested Mr Modi to leave the decision on reservations in states to the respective governments and that the Centre should not intervene in this matter.

"Each state has different composition of religions and castes and their own social and economic problems. There should be flexibility for states to take a decision on reservations in jobs and education provided by state governments. The PM has responded positively and assured to take steps in this direction. But due to consecutive elections in various states since then, it got delayed," Mr Rao added.

KCR said he had requested Mr Modi to approve the TS Reservations Act and include it in the IX Schedule of the Constitution to provide statutory cover along the lines of Tamil Nadu.

Other Sops For Minorities

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced a series of sops for the minorities in Telangana, in the assembly on Thursday.

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• Reservations for Muslims, Christians and linguistic minorities in all welfare schemes and employment. Quotas for each category will be decided, Muslims are expected to get 4 percent.
• Urdu would be treated as the official second language of the state. Competitive and recruitment exams would be held in Urdu along with English and Telugu.
• 66 Urdu officers would be appointed in all important institutions starting with the Council and Assembly, offices of the Chief Minister, Cabinet ministers, Chief Secretary, Director-General of Police, and district collectorates.
• Financial assistance for pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Christians and monthly salary for pastors/ reverends.
• Study circles, skill development centers, women empowerment centers for minorities in district headquarters.
• Extension of subsidised loans up to Rs 2.50 lakh without any bank linkage for self employment schemes.
• Upper income ceiling to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 2 lakh for students to avail the Rs 20 lakh scholarship to pursue studies abroad which will be applicable to minorities, SCs, STs and BCs.
• Fee reimbursement and scholarship arrears of minorities to be cleared.
• Government spent over Rs 800 crore for the welfare of minorities this fiscal.
• Government is ready to spend Rs 2,800 per student per year in minority residential hostels.