Benefits only to economically backward Muslims

Hyderabad, July 4: In an effort to overcome legal hurdles, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet today decided to reduce the quantum of reservation to Muslims by one per cent and restricted the benefits of reservation to socially and economically backward groups among the community.

The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, approved an Ordinance to provide four per cent reservation to over 15 socially and economically backward sections among Muslims in government jobs and education from this academic year, Information Minister A Ramanarayana Reddy and Minorities Welfare Minister Mohd Ali Shabbir told reporters here.

Taking into view the Supreme Court's guidelines that the total quantum of reservation should not exceed 50 per cent, it was decided to reduce the quantum of reservation by one per cent as the total quantum of reservation was 46 per cent in the state now with Backward Classes among Hindus enjoying 25 per cent reservation, Scheduled Castes 14 per cent and Scheduled Tribes seven per cent, Mr Shabbir explained.

The Cabinet decided to include over 15 socially and economically backward groups among Muslims under the head 'E' in the BCs list for the purpose, he said.

This was done in the light of a Division Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court earlier observing that reservations based on religion for the entire community were unconstitutional and the Backward Classes Commission had failed to evolve any reasonable criteria for categorising Muslims among the Backward Classes.

The creamy layer among the Muslims would be excluded as also advanced Muslim groups, including Syeds, Pathans (migrants from Afghanistan), Mushaiks, Mughals (royal family descendants), Iranians, Arabs, Bohras, Shia Imami Ismailis, Khojas, Cutchi-Memons, Jamayats and Navayats, Mr Shabbir said. About 80 to 85 per cent of the Muslim population in the State would be benefitted by this decision, based on the report of retired IAS officer P S Krishnan, he said.

Those groups included under the head ''E'' of the BCs list included Achchukattalvandlu, Singali, Singamvallu, Achchupanivallu, Achchkattuvaru, Achukatlavandu, Attar Saibulu, Dhobi Musalman, Turkachakia, Turaka Chakali, Tulukka Vannan, Tsakalas, Sakalas, Muslim Rajakas, Faqir, Budbudki Ghanti Fhakir, Turaka Budbudiki, Garadi Saibulu, Pamulavallu, Kanikattuvallu, Garadollu, Garadiga, Gosangi Muslim, Phakeer Sayebulu, Guddi Elugavallu, Elugubantuvallu, Musalman Keelugurravallu, Hajam, Nai, Navid, Labbi, Pakeerla, Borewale, Deera Phakirulu, Bonthala, Qureshi, Khasab, Marati Khasab, Shaik, Sheikh, Siddi Yaba, Habshi, Jasi, Turka Kasha, Kakukotte Zinka Saibulu, Chakkitakanevale, Terugadu Gontalavaru, Thirugatigantla, Rollaku Kaku Kottevaru, Pattar Phodulu, Chakketakare and Thuraka Kasha.

The Congress government had earlier extended five per cent reservation to Muslims in keeping with its poll promise, but the same was mired in a legal battle in the Andhra Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court.

The Jamia Nizamia had issued a fatwa, opposing reservations to Muslims in education and employment on the basis of caste system, as it was against the ''Shariat'' and all Muslims were equal.

Expressing concern over the encroachment of Wakf lands, the Cabinet also decided to appoint Sub-Judicial Magistrates in the districts of Krishna, Kurnool and Hyderabad to protect the lands, the Minister said.

The Cabinet gave its approval for creating 12 posts of wardens to administer 12 hostels for pre-matric minority students, he said adding that the Cabinet gave its nod for a tribal welfare hostel in Mahboobnagar district, as assured by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to the district in 2004.

UNI

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