To fulfill election promise, Telangana assembly holds special session for Muslim quota bill

A bill seeking to increase the reservation to Scheduled Tribes and backward sections among Muslims has been tabled in the Telangana Legislative Assembly in a special sitting on Sunday.

The state cabinet, which met in Hyderabad on Saturday, gave its nod to the bill, sources said. However, there was no official briefing on the cabinet meeting in view of the session.

The bill would be introduced in the assembly as per the TRS’ election promise to make efforts to provide 12% quota each for backward sections among Muslims and STs. The state government would make efforts to realise the promise, though it required Centre’s nod, as it was part of TRS’ election manifesto, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had said earlier this week.

The state government would urge the Centre to take up the issue as the percentage of quotas would go beyond the 50% cap, he had said. The Centre would have to give its assent as 69% quota is already under implementation in Tamil Nadu, he had said.

As the TRS government is exactly following the Tamil Nadu model, the increased reservations should be incorporated in the 9th Schedule of Constitution so that it cannot be questioned in court, he had said. …read more