Telangana officials have indicated that funds and clear guidelines for newly established caste corporations are imminent. These bodies, formed to serve specific backward class communities, will implement targeted welfare programs.
The state government is preparing to release funds and issue official orders detailing the responsibilities of these corporations and dictating how the allocated money should be spent.
Minister Ponnam Prabhakar made these statements recently, emphasizing the government's intent to support these newly formed entities. Prabhakar attended an event marking the assumption of charge by Dongari Venkateswarlu as the chairman of the Perika caste corporation. He also acknowledged the Perika community's long-standing efforts, such as running a student hostel in Hyderabad for the past five decades, alongside other welfare activities.
Corporations Aimed at Uplifting Backward Classes
The establishment of these corporations represents a significant move by the Congress government in Telangana, focusing assistance towards various backward classes. Minister Prabhakar described these measures as "unprecedented," stressing their role in enacting welfare schemes. The move aims to channel resources directly to specific communities, with detailed instructions on fund utilization.
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Past Criticisms and Government Response
This initiative comes amidst prior accusations, notably from the BRS MLC Ravinder Rao, who alleged that existing BC corporations were underfunded and lacked functional mechanisms. He also claimed a failure to deliver on a promised Rs 1 lakh crore allocation for BC welfare over five years. Prabhakar, in response, had previously pointed to administrative hurdles hindering the utilization of past budgetary allocations, stating the government was now revalidating those funds. Accusations from BRS members Banda Prakash and Madhusudhanachari also highlighted a perceived lack of new BC schemes introduced by the Congress government in the preceding two years.
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Broader Context: Caste and Governance
Telangana has also seen recent attention regarding caste enumeration. Minister Prabhakar has previously championed the state's comprehensive caste survey and its subsequent law to increase reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) to 42%. He positioned Telangana's actions as a "guiding light" for the nation, contrasting it with the last nationwide caste-based enumeration conducted in 1931 during British rule. The government has also stated it would announce its next steps concerning the caste survey following High Court orders, having expressed surprise at a potential court stay.
