AP approves Ordinance for 4pc quota to Muslims

Hyderabad, July 4: The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet today decided topromulgate an ordinance providing four per cent reservation to sociallyand economically backward sections among Muslims in government jobs andeducation.

The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Y S RajasekharaReddy, decided to include more than 15 groups under the head 'E' in theBackward Classes list for providing reservation from this academicyear, Information Minister A Ramanarayana Reddy and Minorities WelfareMinister Mohd Ali Shabbir told reporters.

The Cabinet discussed with legal experts various options in the wake ofthe High Court striking down the Government's earlier decision toprovide five per cent reservation for Muslims and decided to reduce thequantum of reservation by one per cent to overcome legal hurdles.

Mr Shabbir said 80 to 85 per cent of Muslims would benefit by this decision.

The creamy layer among Muslims would be excluded from the purview of this reservation, Mr Shabbir added.

UNI