While Congress national leader Rahul Gandhi is working as a “brand ambassador” for the implementation of caste survey in the country, the Revanth Reddy-led government in the state is facing criticism that it is completely neglecting the caste survey. The government is facing criticism that it is not trying to fulfil the promises announced in the “Kamareddy BC Declaration” during Legislative Assembly elections.
Major assurances like 42% BC reservations in local bodies, social, economic, caste survey are still pending. With this BC communities started agitating. The onslaught of allegations that the government is working against the weaker sections has increased. The Congress party is the party of the weaker sections and has been getting the support of the people for many years. However, the situation in the state is gradually showing different opinions on the party. In this context, the party seniors are of the opinion that the party high command should take corrective measures and take steps to prevent damage to improve the situation in the state.
Vakulabharanam Commission is already working as a dedicated commission to determine the BC reservations in local body elections in the state. However, after the formation of a new government under the leadership of Revanth Reddy, the Commission will also have to continue its work based on the priorities of the government. Uncertainty crept into the functioning of the Commission as there is no clarity from the government on whether the reservations in local body elections be determined on the basis of the voter list or on the basis of statistics gathered through caste survey. It is not good for the government to indulge in unnecessary rhetoric and waste of time in such important matters of public utility. Promises to the people should be fulfilled as soon as possible. However, because the Revanth government has not taken positive measures in that direction, there are opinions that the government has to face the public protests in a few months.
Movements started immediately after the formation of the government demanding to take up the caste census. Consequently, the government has finally taken a policy decision for social and economic caste survey. For this, GOMS No. 26 was released in the month of March allocating Rs 150 crore for this. But then not a single step is taken forward. BC, caste and public associations are making movements to start immediately. Arrests of activists have started everywhere in the state. Meanwhile, the announcements made by the ministers are creating more confusion.
Even as the tenure of Dr Vakulabharanam Krishna Mohan Rao Commission, who has been working comprehensively on these issues for the last two and a half years, is ending on 31st August, 2024, the government is acting indifferent. The government should have already announced the extension of the tenure of the current commission which is experience in the matter. On the other hand, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy himself said in a media chit chat that he will form a new governing body for the commission, giving opportunity to the activists of his party. It is better to give opportunity to the workers who work sincerely for the party. However, legal experts are of the opinion that this is not the right time to replace the Commission with someone who has no subject knowledge and experience in the commission in the context of the current situation in the state.
In this backdrop, it is learnt that the Vakulabharanam Commission, which is mandated to work on subject, had to slow down its activity. However, the chairman Dr Krishna Mohan has prepared the basic objectives and questionnaire related to the caste survey and submitted it to the government.
