AP CM Naidu to move SC against HC verdict on 34% BC reservations
Repalle (Andhra Pradesh), Oct 1(TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday announced that the state government would approach the Supreme Court challenging the High Court verdict striking down the government’s decision to provide 34 per cent reservations to Backward Classes (BCs) in local bodies.
Addressing an NTR Bharosa pension distribution programme under the Pedala Sevalo initiative at Repalle in Bapatla district, Naidu said the coalition government was committed to the political, social and economic empowerment of BCs and would not compromise on the issue.
Recalling the contribution of former Chief Minister N T Rama Rao to the political empowerment of BCs, Naidu said his government had introduced 34 per cent reservations for BCs in local bodies in 1995.
The subsequent government reduced the quota to 24 per cent, depriving around 16,800 people of opportunities to hold elected positions, he said.
After returning to power, the coalition government restored the 34 per cent quota, but the opposition challenged the decision in court, contending that reservations should not exceed 50 per cent.
The High Court subsequently struck down the government orders, Naidu said, adding that the state would challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court.
The Chief Minister alleged that the opposition had attempted to obstruct teacher recruitment through legal proceedings, while defending the government’s Mega DSC recruitment initiative.
He said the government had resolved long-pending issues relating to house-site pattas and residential land worth Rs 52,000 crore in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Mangalagiri and other parts of the state.
Several welfare schemes, including Stree Shakti, Talliki Vandanam, Deepam, Matsyakara Sevalo and Auto Drivers’ Sevalo, were providing financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries, he said.
Naidu announced that 36 projects worth Rs 35,000 crore would be completed over the next three years, while stressing the need to balance development with environmental protection.
Referring to the proposed Global Horticulture Hub, he said the government was planning to develop Rayalaseema as a major horticulture centre through an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore covering 10 districts, including Prakasam. The initiative is expected to promote horticulture, logistics, tourism and allied sectors, creating opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs.
The Chief Minister also announced plans to develop Suryalanka Beach in Bapatla district on the lines of Goa to attract domestic and international tourists. The government aims to transform the beach into a major tourism destination and establish it as a prominent attraction on India’s tourism map.
Alleging that the previous government had undermined the development potential of the Vanpic region, Naidu said the coalition government was committed to accountable administration, skill development and improved public service delivery.
He further alleged that the previous government had spent Rs 800 crore on printing images on land-title passbooks and survey stones. The present government was implementing Resurvey 2.0 to resolve land disputes and issue secure pattadar passbooks bearing the state emblem, he said.
Naidu added that long-pending land disputes in Shettipalle, Kangumandi and Amalapuram had been resolved and blockchain technology was being used to secure revenue records.
TNT KM
