Telangana Govt Issues GO on Zilla Parishad Reservations Based on Caste Census
The Government of Telangana has moved quickly to align the election framework for local bodies by issuing an official order that allocates Zilla Parishad (ZP) president seats according to caste categories. The decision, framed around the most recent caste census, assigns specific districts to Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), Backward Classes (BC), and General categories for the ZP presidency. Officials say this step is aimed at ensuring social justice and accelerating the local election timetable.
How the Reservations Are Distributed
The GO delineates district-wise allocations across four broad categories. Here is the breakdown as announced:
ST (Scheduled Tribes) Reservations
Districts reserved for ST presidents: Mulugu, Khammam, Warangal, and Nalgonda.
SC (Scheduled Castes) Reservations
Districts reserved for SC presidents: Hanamkonda, Jangaon, Jogulamba Gadwal, Rajanna Sircilla, Rangareddy, and Sangareddy.
BC (Backward Classes) Reservations
Districts reserved for BC presidents include: Siddipet, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Mahabubnagar, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Nirmal, Suryapet, Nagarkurnool, Kumaram Bheem Asifabad, Wanaparthy, and Yadadri Bhuvaneswar (Yadadri Bhuvanesgiri).
General Category Reservations
Eight districts fall under the General category: Peddapalli, Jagtial, Narayanpet, Kamareddy, Medak, Adilabad, Mahbubabad, and Bhadradri Kothagudem.
Why This Move Was Necessary
Officials emphasize that the new allocations reflect caste census data, aiming to correct historical imbalances and to strengthen social justice in district governance. The move also aligns with the government’s recent push to boost the representation of BC communities, a central element of the 42%BC quota policy announced for local elections. By tying ZP presidency seats to caste groupings derived from the census, the administration hopes to ensure proportional political empowerment at the district level.
Implications for Local Elections
The reseating of ZP presidents by caste is expected to expedite the election process for the district and block-level bodies. With the reserve list in place, the Panchayat Raj Department has already begun focusing on practical aspects such as appointing election officials, designating polling centers, and refining logistical plans. As these steps unfold, political parties are likely to recalibrate their local strategies to align with the new seat allocations, potentially reshaping alliances and candidate selections across many districts.
What Lies Ahead
As the GO formalizes the pattern for ZP president elections, attention will turn to the subsequent electoral stages, including ZPTC (Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency) and MPTC (Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency) polls. Officials stress that this ordering will cascade through the entire local elections calendar, enabling faster, more orderly conduct. In the weeks ahead, field offices will finalize roll preparations, voters’ lists will be updated, and candidates will begin submitting nominations in line with the new territorial reservations. The political landscape in several districts could shift substantially as parties craft targeted campaigns around these caste-based allocations.
Bottom Line
Telangana’s caste-based reservation framework for ZP presidency signals a decisive step in aligning local governance with caste demographics. While the approach aims to enhance social justice and speed up elections, it also sets the stage for consequential political realignments at the district level as parties respond to the newly reserved seats.
