Andhra Pradesh Assembly adopts resolution on 33 per cent reservation for backward classes

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Saturday adopted a resolution requesting the Centre to provide 33.33 per cent reservation to backward classes (BCs) in the Parliament as well as the state legislatures.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu moved the resolution in the House on the last day of the Budget session.

Seeking "constitutional status" for backward classes, the resolution also urged the Centre to conduct a census on BCs to determine their population.

It also requested setting up of a separate ministry for the welfare of BCs and earmark 25 per cent of welfare funds for the backward classes sub-plan.

The AP government also wanted the Union Government to provide reservations in promotions for government employees belonging to backward classes.

"With strong commitment, my government will ensure welfare of backward classes in Andhra Pradesh," the Chief Minister announced, moving the resolution in the Assembly.

BCs have been the backbone of the Telugu Desam Party, he said adding that the state government would revive the "Aadarana" schemes for the welfare of BC artisans.

The House adopted the resolution unanimously but Leader of Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy sought to speak on the issue after the resolution was passed.

Since Reddy’s name was not in the list of speakers given by the YSR Congress on the subject, other members of his party spoke.

Legislative Affairs Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said it was against the rules to speak on a subject after a resolution was passed by the House.

Reddy’s remarks that the ruling party members should question their conscience if they had "humanity" and that they were "not humans" evoked a strong counter-attack by the TDP.

"The Opposition leader should immediately withdraw his remarks," the Legislative Affairs Minister demanded and alleged the former was acting in an "undemocratic and unconstitutional" manner.

"He is behaving without knowing even the basics of the legislature's functioning. We recently organised a training programme for new legislators to educate them on the rules and procedures of the House, but Jagan did not attend," Ramakrishnudu pointed out.

Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao said ample opportunity was given to the opposition members to express their views on various issues.

"Every opportunity was given even to the Leader of Opposition whenever he sought time (to speak)," the Speaker said.

After this din, the House passed the Appropriation Bill (Budget) for the October-March period of the 2014-15 financial year with a total outlay of Rs 1.11 lakh crore.

The House was then adjourned sine die after conducting business for 15 days for the Budget session.