The issuance of a gazette notification by the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday night bringing the AP Brahmin Welfare Corporation under the Backward Classes Welfare Department has kicked up a controversy.
The notification, issued in the name of chief secretary Adityanath Das, sought to transfer the Brahmin Welfare Corporation, which had hitherto been under the control of Revenue (Endowments) Department to the Backward Classes Welfare Department, as per the decision taken in the state cabinet a couple of days ago.
As per the notification, necessary amendments were made to the second schedule of the Andhra Pradesh Government Business Rules, 2018 will be issued separately.
The government said the decision was taken to improve the synergy and should become part of Economically Weaker Sections Corporations in that Department.
Though no statement was issued so far by any Brahmin association condemning the decision, some sections are understood to have registered a protest with the government over the decision as it amounted to treating the Brahmins, who come under the upper caste community, as BCs.
Sources in the government, however, said the decision was meant for ensuring release of adequate funds under BC Welfare Corporation.
“The government has not issued any order including the Brahmins under BC list. They continue to be under the open category,” they said.
A Brahmin leader said nothing would prevent the government from releasing funds to the Brahmin Corporation from the Revenue (Endowments) department.
“In Telangana, too, there is a Brahmin Welfare Corporation and the TRS government has made separate budget allocation. Why should AP government club the Brahmin Welfare with the BC welfare?” he asked.
