National BC Welfare Association demands increase in reservations

The National BC Welfare Association has demanded that the government increase reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) in Panchayati Raj institutions from 20% to 42%, as promised in the Congress manifesto. At a state-level meeting chaired by Nila Venkatesh, representatives from 30 BC unions, 39 caste unions, employees and student unions participated.
In the meeting on Sunday, president R Krishnaiah emphasised the need for urgent action, citing the manifesto’s promise to increase reservations for sarpanch, MPTC, ZPTC and ward members to 42%. He warned of potential legal challenges if reservations are delayed until after a caste census. Krishna urged Parliament to amend the Constitution, questioning why similar urgency shown for upper caste reservations cannot be extended to BCs, who make up 50% of the population.
Recalling history, Krishnaiah highlighted that former chief ministers NT Rama Rao and Vijayabhaskar Reddy raised BC reservations, but the Supreme Court later reduced them to 22%. Since then, protests have been held, pushing for a caste census and higher reservations.
The meeting adopted key resolutions, such as to increase BC reservations in local elections to 42%. Remove the creamy layer in education and job reservations. Form 40 more caste-based corporations. Provide 50% political reservations for BCs. Establish a separate ministry for BCs and special development schemes. Grant BC employees reservations in promotions. Increase job and education reservations from 27% to 56%. Extend post-matric scholarships and fee reimbursement. Mandate SC/ST/BC reservations in the private sector.
The association urged immediate action, warning
of protests if demands
are unmet.