Are BCs eligible for nominated posts?

 

T. Chiranjeevulu, IAS (Ret)

Although BCs (Backward Classes) form a majority of the population in Telangana, their representation in political power and government decisions remains questionable. In particular, the allocation of nominated posts in the government is being criticized for severely undermining the fundamental principle of social justice. This situation raises a basic question – are BCs eligible for nominated posts?

Before coming to power in Telangana, the Congress Party, through the Kamareddy Declaration, promised a 42 % reservation for BCs and pledged to implement social justice in education, employment, and local institutions. Those guarantees raised new hopes among the BC community. However, after assuming office, the lack of implementation of those promises has caused deep disappointment within the BC community.

In the past two years, the Telangana government has appointed chairpersons for more than 70 corporations and boards. Yet, social balance is not evident in those appointments. Approximately 31 corporations appear to have been allocated to a single dominant caste—the Reddy community. The distribution looks roughly like this:

• Kamma: 4
• Brahmins: 3
• Velama: 2
• Muslims: 7
• SCs: 7
• STs: 4
• BCs: 12
• Caste unknown: 3

(These figures total 73.) This is not merely a political decision; it raises questions about the government’s commitment to social justice. (The corporation‑wise list of chairpersons can be seen in Table 1.)

When the state of Telangana was created, people expected social justice, equal opportunities, and broad‑based representation. The current situation, however, gives the impression that only a few dominant groups receive preferential treatment. Even during the united Andhra Pradesh era, such stark caste favoritism was not observed, according to many now.

Nominated posts are not just titles; they are key positions that influence government policy. Who occupies these positions determines how well the issues of various social groups are reflected. Hence, having social balance in these posts is essential.

In Telangana, BCs are not only voters but also a crucial segment in the state’s construction. They contribute economically across agriculture, trades, small businesses, and services. Providing appropriate political and administrative representation for such a group is a democratic duty.

The government should correct this imbalance now. Vacant chairperson positions in important bodies such as the Civil Supplies Corporation, ATC Corporation, Housing Corporation, Pollution Control Board, and Women’s Commission should be given to BCs and other backward‑class groups.

Some members of the Congress party argue, “Since we came to power with the support of the Reddy community, it is natural to give them priority.” However, an important point they must remember is that no single caste can bring a party to power in Telangana. Without the support of BCs, SCs, STs, minorities, and other backward classes, no political force can stay in power.

In this context another natural question arises: Has Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who speaks strongly about social justice nationwide, received any information about what is happening in Telangana? Or is he unaware of this situation? Are they turning a blind eye?

For a party that claims to fight for social justice, such disparities become hard to justify.

Social justice is not just a political slogan; it must be reflected in governmental policies. Ignoring BCs’ rights and neglecting their representation will inevitably have political repercussions, because ultimately the public’s judgment decides in a democracy.

If genuine social justice is to be realized in Telangana, providing proper political and administrative representation to BCs and other backward‑class groups is mandatory. Otherwise, growing dissatisfaction could lead to major political debates in the future. News reports indicate that around 40 nominated posts will soon be filled, and backward‑class groups are urging the Congress party to prove its sincerity.

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Table I – Representation of Social Groups by Corporation (Chairperson)

#	Corporation / Authority	Chairperson	Community
1	Sports Authority	Shiv Sena Reddy	Reddy
2	Road Development Corporation	Ram Reddy Mall Reddy	Reddy
3	Industrial Infra Corp Ltd.	Nirmala Jagga Reddy (Goud)	Reddy
4	State Trade Promotion Corp Ltd.	A. Prakash Reddy	Reddy
5	Urban Finance & Infrastructure Development Corp Ltd.	Challa Narasimha Reddy	Reddy
6	Lokayukta	Raj Shekhar Reddy	Reddy
7	Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (Chairmen)	Justice Santosh Reddy	Reddy
8	Judicial Member	Palle Pradeep Kumar Reddy	Reddy
9	Judicial Registrar	Govind Reddy	Reddy
10	Telangana Media Academy	K. Srinivas Reddy	Reddy
11	Seed Development Corporation	Anvesh Reddy	Reddy
12	Oil Fed	Janga Ravinder Reddy	Reddy
13	Dairy Development Co‑op Fed.	Gutta Anil Kumar Reddy	Reddy
14	T.S. Food Commission	Goli Srinivas Reddy	Reddy
15	Telangana Higher Education Commission	Prof. V. Balkrishna Reddy	Reddy
16	Telangana Admission & Fee Regulation Authority	A. Gopal Reddy	Reddy
17	Deputy Chairman, Telangana State Planning Board	J. Chinna Reddy	Reddy
18	Telangana Tourism Development Agency	Patil Ramesh Reddy	Reddy
19	Director, Prosecution	S. Samba Shiv Reddy	Reddy
20	Police Housing Corporation Ltd.	R. Gurunath Reddy	Reddy
21	T.G. Cooperative Union Ltd.	Maanal Mohan Reddy	Reddy
22	T.G. Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Commission	Kodanda Ram Reddy	Reddy
23	Film Development Corporation	Dilraju Reddy	Reddy
24	Child Rights Protection Committee	Seetha Dayakar Reddy	Reddy
25	Setwin Chain	N. Giridhur Reddy	Reddy
26	T.G. Agricultural Co‑op Association (HACA)	K. Chandrashekhar	Reddy
27	Hyderabad Library Institution President	K. Upendra Reddy	Reddy
28	High Power Committee (M & H)	Justice E. Gopal Reddy	Reddy
29	Buddhanam, Nagarjuna Sagar	Anjaney Reddy (IPS Retired, Andhra Cadre)	Reddy
30	Setwin Chain	N. Giridhur Reddy	Reddy
31	High Power Committee (M & H)	Justice E. Gopal Reddy	Reddy
32	Real Estate Regulatory Authority	N. Satyanarayana	Kamma
33	T.G. PCB Appellate Authority	Justice Sambashivarau	Kamma
34	T.G. Irrigation Development Corporation	M. Vijay Babu	Kamma
35	Vigilance Commissioner	M.G. Gopal (IAS Retired)	Brahmin
36	T.G. Electricity Regulation Authority	Justice D. Nagarjun	Brahmin
37	H.R.C. (Non‑judicial)	Dr. B. Kishore (IAS Retired, Andhra Cadre)	Brahmin
38	T.G. Apex Co‑op Chairman	M. Ravinder Rao	Velama
39	T.G. Minority Commission	Ahmad Moainuddin Ansari	Muslim
40	Tender Committee Chairman	ND. Abdul Hussain	Muslim
41	T.G. Library Council	Riyad	Muslim
42	T.G. Food	M.A. Faheem	Muslim
43	T.G. Minorities Fin Corp.	ND. Obedullah Kotwal	Muslim
44	Human Rights Commission Chairman	Dr. Justice Shameem Akhtar	Muslim
45	T.G. Waqf Board	Syed Azmatulla Hussaini	Muslim
46	T.G. Forest Development Corporation	Podem Veerayya	ST
47	Trikar	Dr. Bellayya Naik Tejarat	ST
48	T.G. JISCI	K. Tirupati	ST
49	T.G. Renewable Energy (Chairman)	Dr. E. Sharath	ST
50	T.G. State Election Board	Rani Kumudini	SC
51	Telangana Education Commission	Shri Murali (IAS Retired)	SC
52	T.G. Finance Commission	Shri Rajnath (former MP)	SC
53	T.G. SC Co‑op Dev Corp.	Nagaraaju Preetam	SC
54	T.G. SC & ST Commission	Bakki Venkataiah	SC
55	Upalakshya	B.S. Jaggivan Kumar	SC
56	Cultural Sarathi	Dr. G.V. Vennela	SC
57	T.G. Public Service Commission	B. Venkatesh (IAS Retired)	BC
58	T.G. Handicrafts Development Institute	Nadu Satyanarayana	BC
59	T.G. Mineral Development Corporation	Eravat Anil Kumar	BC
60	T.G. Agro Industries Corporation	Kasula Bala Raju	BC
61	T.G. Women Development Fin Corp.	Bandaru Shobha Rani	BC
62	T.G. Disabled Persons Corporation	Veerayya	BC
63	T.G. Music & Drama Academy	Prof. Alekhya P. (Brahmin)	BC
64	T.G. BC Commission	Niranjan Rao	BC
65	T.G. BC Finance Corporation	Nuthi Srikanth Gowd	BC
66	T.G. M.B.C. Corporation	Jeripeti Jaipal	BC
67	BC Dedicated Commission Chairperson	Busani Venkateshwarav	BC
68	T.G. Fishermen Co‑op Society	Metta Sai Kumar	BC
69	T.G. State Police Complaint Authority	B. Shiva Sankar Rao	Caste unknown
70	T.G. Technology Services	Marnesh Kumar	Kamma
71	Yadagiri Devasthan Development Authority	Kishan Rao	Velama
72	T.G. Endowment Tribunal (Judicial)	D.V. Nageshwara Rao	Caste unknown
73	T.G. Co‑op Housing Fed. Ltd.	K. Navaneeth Rao	Caste unknown

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Key Takeaways

1. Representation Gap: Despite being a demographic majority, BCs receive far fewer nominations compared with the dominant Reddy community.
2. Political Implications: Lack of BC representation could fuel future political unrest and diminish trust in the governing party.
3. Call to Action: Vacant high‑profile posts should be allocated to BCs and other backward‑class groups to honor the promise of social justice and to reflect the state’s diverse composition.

Note: The above translation aims to preserve the original meaning and nuance of the Telugu text.