Telangana govt to take up census for backward classes

The Telangana government has decided to take up a census of the backward class (BC) population in the state.

A decision in this regard was taken at the meeting of the Telangana cabinet yesterday.

"To take up census of BC population in the state at once," a release from the office of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who chaired the cabinet meeting, said.

A scheme of eye-testing for all the citizens ("Kanti velugu") would also be launched across the state on August 15, it said.

The state cabinet also approved the appointment of special officers in place of those heads of gram panchayats, whose term was coming to an end soon, it added.

According to the release, land not exceeding one acre would be allotted to all recognised political parties at the rate of Rs 100 per yard for construction of their party offices and these party offices would be exempted from property tax.

In accordance with guidelines of earlier governments, land allotment to TRS party in 29 districts for constructing party offices in district headquarters has been approved, it said.

Also, in addition to the existing residential schools for the backward classes in the state, 119 new schools, one per Assembly segment, would be established, it added.