The central government has announced that the long-standing Scheduled Caste categorization in Telugu states is not possible as per the constitutional provisions. Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Narayana Swamy announced this in Parliament.
Narayana Swamy announced in Parliament that the Constitution does not allow for SC Categorisation. Earlier it was announced in the Parliament that the commission proposed in the united state of Andhra Pradesh suggested constitutional amendment.
Union Minister answered a question raised by BJP Rajya Sabha member GVL Narasimha Rao on the issue of SC classification. It was explained that the earlier National Commission for the Classification of Scheduled Castes- SC in AP had recommended amendment of Article 341 to classify and sub-categorize the SC castes.
He said that the views of all the states have been sought in accordance with the recommendations made by the National Commission set up on the issue that arose in Andhra Pradesh in the past. He told the Parliament that so far 20 states and 2 Union Territories have given their response in this matter. In this, seven states have expressed their willingness for the classification of SC castes, while 13 states and one Union Territory have opposed the classification. A union territory said it had no comment on the matter. He said that the Supreme Court is currently investigating the issue of classification.
It has been mentioned that the Supreme Court is currently going on to resolve the SC classification dispute. The chief justice has been asked to refer the matter to a seven-judge bench to resolve the issue, he said.