Congress backs 12% quota

TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday said Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao should implement his promise of providing 12 per cent reservations each to backward Muslims and STs without exception.

Former PCC chief V. Hanumantha Rao, while welcoming the government’s decision to increase reservations for Muslims and tribals, demanded the government simultaneously take steps to enhance BC reservations, in proportion to their population in the state. Reminding the Chief Minister of his promise to consider increasing the BC reservation quota, Mr Hanumantha Rao said that it would be proper to include enhanced quota for BCs along with Muslim and tribals in the ensuing Assembly session.

Speaking to newsmen at the Gandhi Bhavan on Wednesday, Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy demanded the state government to issue a white paper giving full details of crop loan waiver scheme.

Welcoming the decision to release the last instalment of crop loan waiver scheme of `4,000 crore, he said government must ensure the amount reaches the farmers immediately.

He found fault with the government for diverting over `1,000 crore meant for SC and STs in the state to clear crop loan dues.

Mr Reddy said that the Chief Minister should not have diverted funds meant for development of SCs and STs.