Telangana to conduct census of backward classes

The Telangana government will soon carry out a census of the backward class population in the State.

The State Cabinet on Friday cleared the proposal that has long been under consideration.

Such a census will hold the basis for apportioning reservations in the local body elections.

The government feels that the census will also help in the implementation of welfare schemes.

The Cabinet also cleared a proposal to set up 119 backward class residential schools, one in each of the 119 Assembly constituencies, in the next academic year. The schools will require 4,284 employees.

Panchayat postings

The government will also fill up 9,335 village panchayat secretary posts, taking the total number of panchayat secretaries to 12,751, covering all the panchayats in the State.

The Cabinet also cleared a move to appoint special officers in place of sarpanchs, whose terms will end by the month-end. Special officers will also be appointed for the newly established municipalities.

Land for political parties

The Cabinet additionally decided to allot land (not exceeding one acre) at ₹100 a yard to all the recognised parties to construct their party offices.

The party offices will not need to pay property tax. To begin with, the Cabinet cleared the allotment of land to the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi in 29 of the 31 district headquarters.

On August 15, the government will kick off the Kanti Velugu programme to conduct eye-screenings.

Besides approving the purchase of 11,577 vehicles for the police department, the Cabinet agreed to set up a medical college in Suryapet.

Additionally, the Cabinet decided to allot 600 square yards to the family of former Home Minister Madhava Reddy, who was killed in a landmine blast 17 years ago. The relatives of Feroz Khan, who was killed on the Pakistan border, will also get 200 square yards at Shaikpet.

The government will consider providing mid-day meals to students in junior colleges.