Congress to Table PC Ghose Report in Assembly; 50% Reservation Cap to Be Removed State Cabinet Greenlights Two Major Moves

1. Tabling of P.C. Ghose Commission Report
The Telangana state cabinet approved presenting the Justice P.C. Ghose Commission’s report in the Legislative Assembly. The commission investigated serious irregularities and engineering failures at three key barrages Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla built under the previous BRS government. The collapse of these structures in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme was attributed to negligence and misuse of public funds. The government has scheduled the report’s tabling on the second day of the monsoon session, setting up for a heated debate.

2. Amendments to Break the Reservation Cap
The cabinet also cleared two bills to amend the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act (2018) and the Telangana Municipalities Act (2019). These amendments will officially lift the existing 50% cap on total reservations, allowing a 42% quota exclusively for Backward Classes (BCs) in upcoming panchayat and municipal elections.

What This Means

Political Showdown

This session is poised to be a political flashpoint. The BRS sees the report as a politically motivated attack, accusing Congress of pursuing vendetta politics. Meanwhile, the Congress frames it as necessary accountability and justice for misuse of public funds.

Reservation Reforms in Focus

Bolstering the BC quota is a fulfillment of a key electoral promise by the Congress. The changes are being fast-tracked, especially with a High Court mandated deadline of September 30 for local body elections. The amendments also prepare the ground for a direction to implement them swiftly, pending presidential assent.

Legal Tussles Ahead

BRS leaders, including K. Chandrasekhar Rao and T. Harish Rao, have challenged the report’s tabling in Telangana High Court, worrying about potential fallout. They seek to delay its use in the Assembly until judicial review.

Snapshot