Revealing the outcome of the caste census, Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy on Monday said the population of backward classes in the state is 56.36 per cent. He said the Congress government in the state will increase OBC reservations in government jobs and educational institutions from 23 percent to 42 percent.

“Today, as the Leader of the Telangana Legislative Assembly, as Chief Minister I solemnly declare that based on the most scientific, methodically rigorous, and excruciating efforts of our people, we can say that the OBCs population in Telangana is 56.36 percent,” he wrote on X.

“We are now resolving to ensure 42 percent reservations for this Group in all walks of life – education, jobs and employment & political representation,” he added.

Reddy’s comments came in view of the Congress government introducing two bills to provide 42 per cent quotas to the BCs in education, jobs and in rural and urban local bodies.

“It is my honour to announce the longest pending demand of the subaltern groups since Indian Independence, the yearning of our brothers & sisters belonging to the Backward Castes, on being counted & recognised in an official census — has finally found deliverance,” he said.

The Congress had announced a ‘BC Declaration’ before the assembly elections in 2023, promising to increase the BC quota to 42 per cent from 23 per cent in local bodies to provide new political leadership positions for them, besides giving 42 per cent reservation in government civil construction and maintenance contracts.

With inputs from PTI