17 new castes are set to be included in the list of Other Backward Classes-OBC as per the council of Telangana’s government. This decision was finalized by the State Cabinet in a meeting on Monday night, led by K Chandrasekhar Rao- the Chief Minister of the state.

A total of 112 castes are present in the OBC list of Telangana who enjoy 25% reservation for employment and education. They are categorized into 4 groups according to their backwardness, namely- A, B, C, and D. there is also another group E that constitutes the Muslims of the country who get a 4% reservation for education and employment.

These new classes are mostly nomadic and semi-nomadic people who have never been provided any reservations before. They fall under the category of the “Most Backward Classes (MBC)”.

The sociological conditions of the MBC group had been extensively studied by the Telangana OBC Commission for approximately 2 and a half years. After the study, 23 classes were finalized which upon further discussion were reduced to 17 classes to be included in the MBC category. In July 2019, the Commission had submitted its final report.

Out of the 17 new castes to be added in the OBC list, 13 of them are to be included in group A category, while 4 of them shall be added in group D.

Addapuvaru, Bhagavatula, Bail Kammara/Chigadi/Gadia Lohar, Eenuti/Yenati, Ganjikoti/Ganjikooti, Goud Jetti, Kaki Pagadala, Patamvaru,/Masailhlu, OAD/OD/ODD, Sonnail/Sonnayollu, Sri Kashitriya Ramajogi/Ramajogi, Dheracheerali/Telsuri/Telsoori and Tolubommalata Varu/Boppla.- are the 13 castes to be included in group A.

Aheer/Aheeryalu, Govili/Govill/Gouli, Kullakadigi/Kullikadigi/Chittem, and Taroollu/Soma Vamasa Kshatriya- are the 4 to be added in group D.

People belonging to these classes will enjoy benefits under the reservation system for the OBC.

Mohan Chowhan- the president of the MBC Welfare Association said “This is a historic decision. It will benefit as many as 9,839 families belonging to these 17 castes. We are deeply indebted to the Telangana government.” The statement was made by him after attending a meeting with KT Rama Rao- the Telangana IT Minister along with representatives of the 17 castes, on Tuesday.