Date:04/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/04/stories/2008110455060400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Representations for inclusion in OBCs list

Special Correspondent

-Photo:G. Krishnaswamy

Taking note: Justice S. Ratnavel Pandian, Chairperson, National Commission for Backward Classes at the public hearing meeting in Hyderabad on Monday.

HYDERABAD: The National Commission for Backward Classes on Monday received several representations for inclusion of synonymous names of castes that are recognised as Backward Classes (BCs) by various State governments in the Central list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

Among them were the Gajula Kapu community which told the commission chairman S. Ratnavel Pandian and member Subha Somu during a public hearing that it was no different from the Turpu Kapus which has already been included in the State and Central lists of BCs.

The community organisation represented by its president K.S. Murthy said the State government had recognised the group’s presence only in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam and extended the benefits of reservations to the members only in these districts. The territorial restriction against the community should also go.

The Pahelwans, who were traditionally wrestlers, sought to be equated with the Jettys who were recognised as BCs in Tamilnadu and Karnataka. They petitioned the commission that they be called as Pahelwan Jettys but Justice Pandian said caste was the criteria and not profession for granting recognition as BCs. The Kshatriya Rajbhuj community also informed the commission that it was the same as the Bondilis who were already recognised as BCs in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamilnadu. The Bondili was a colloquial name given to the community in the State where it had a population of 1.75 lakh, its president Mahendra Singh said.

Another group from Itchapuram – Samantas – said it was included in the State list but not in the OBCs.