'Kapus' demand BC status

Kakinada, Jun 16 (UNI) The 'Kapu Sadbhavana Sangham' East Godavari District unit today appealed to Andhra Pradesh government to include the 'Kapus', who are known as 'Telagas, 'Balijas' and 'Ontaris' in different regions of the state, in the list of BCs following the procedure adopted by neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Addressing a press conference here, Sangham President Kommireddi Veerabhadrarao and Secretary Baswa Prabhakararao said reservations were increased to 69 per cent in Tamil Nadu and 73 per cent in Karnataka where as it was only 50 per cent in Andhra Pradesh.

They recalled how Vanniyars, Lingayats and Vokkaligas in Karnataka, who are equivalent to Kapus, were included in the list of backward classes on August 24, 1994 in Karnataka and December 31, 1973 in Tamil Nadu.

They expressed hope that Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy would keep up his election promise on according BC status to Kapus, Balija, Telaga and Ontari people without forcing them to resort to agitation.

UNI XC VA GKT 1750