Hyderabad: A special session of Telangana Assembly will be held on April 16 to pass a legislation to increase the quota for Muslims and tribals, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced on Wednesday.
He said the percentage of enhanced quota will be decided by the state Cabinet at a meeting on April 15.
Defending the proposed move, he said it was the responsibility of his government to increase the overall quantum of reservation in line with the social composition of the newly-created Telangana.
KCR, as Rao is popularly known, pointed out that the socially and economically backward sections among Muslims are already enjoying 5 percent reservation in jobs and education.
The Chief Minister said Telangana's legislation would be on the lines of the law passed by Tamil Nadu and included in 9th Schedule.
He contended that with 90 percent of Telangana state's population constituting backward classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and minorities, 50 percent ceiling on reservation will not work for the state.
He referred to the Supreme Court judgment in Indira Sawhney case that total reservation can exceed 50 percent provided a case is made out with quantifiable and impeccable data.
In an obvious reference to strong opposition to the move from BJP, KCR reiterated that the reservation was not based on religion but on socio-economic backwardness of Muslims.
He pointed out that states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka and Manipur were already providing reservation to some backward groups among the minorities.
Stating that his government is extending cooperation to the Centre as and when required, KCR hoped that Narendra Modi government will accept the state's request. "Otherwise, we are ready for a fight as long as it takes," he added.
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