Hyderabad, Mar 18 (UNI) The Telangana Legislative Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the Scheduled Caste Classification Bill.

During the discussion on the bill, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy recalled the long struggle for SC classification in the united Andhra Pradesh, during which many people sacrificed their lives. He noted that in 2004, the Congress tried to address the issue by establishing the Usha Mehra Committee. Expressing gratitude for the resolution of the issue, Reddy stated, "It is gratifying that the problem was solved even after I became the Chief Minister."

He explained that within an hour of the Supreme Court's verdict, the government announced a decision in favour of SC classification and appointed a cabinet sub-committee led by Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy.

Following the committee's recommendation, the government appointed the Shamim Akhtar Commission, which received 8,681 proposals from the public. The commission's report, accepted without changes, divided 59 SC sub-castes into three groups based on the benefits they had received so far, the Chief Minister explained.

Reddy emphasised that this was a historic occasion that provides a permanent solution to a decades-long issue. He reiterated his government's commitment to Dalit welfare, noting that the Congress party has a legacy of empowering Dalit leaders, including appointing Mallikarjun Kharge as the AICC president and previously making Damodaram Sanjeevaiah the Chief Minister of the united state in 1960.

Reddy also mentioned the prolonged Supreme Court proceedings in the Punjab case and highlighted that after coming to power, his government presented its arguments before a seven-judge bench in favour of SC classification. As soon as the Supreme Court verdict was announced, the Assembly passed a resolution in support of the classification.

Reddy assured that the government would support families who lost their loved ones in the struggle for SC classification by giving them priority in schemes such as Indiramma Indlu and Rajiv Yuva Vikasam. He further committed to increasing SC reservations following the completion of the 2026 census and ensuring their fair distribution.

"As the leader of the House, I promise you... you will not be wronged in Indiramma's kingdom. We will take the responsibility of increasing reservations and implementing them," Reddy concluded, thanking all those who contributed to the bill's passage.

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