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REPORT OF A.P.COMMISSION FOR BACKWARD CLASSES I. INTRODUCTION
The Govt. of Andhra Pradesh vide G.O.Ms.No.57, B.C.W. (C2) Dept.
Dt. 18-11-2004 reconstituted the body of A.P. commission for Backward
Classes headed by Justice Dalava Subrahmanyam as Chairman for a term of
three years. The Commission began to function from 22-11-2004. The term
of the Commission was extended by another 6 months as per G.O.Ms.No. 32,
BCW (C2) Dept., dt. 6.12.2007. On expiry of the extended term, the body of
the Commission was reconstituted in G.O.Ms No. 55 B.C. Welfare (C2) Dept,
dated 23-09-2008 and started functioning from 25-09-2008. By the time the
commission was reconstituted during November 2004 several representations
for inclusion of certain communities were pending before the Commission.
As the matter stands thus, the National Commission for Backward Classes
recognized certain castes of A.P. in the central list which were pending before
the Commission.
Taking into consideration of the past experience, the Commission
resolved to take up the requests in piece-meal, as it was not possible to
submit its report with regard to all castes or communities at a time.
Hence the Commission at its meeting held on 22-3-2006 resolved to
examine the representations of the castes pending before this Commission
which are predominantly concentrated in limited areas with less population.
Accordingly the Commission issued a notification on 31-3-2006 which was
published in A.P. Gazette dated 13-04-2006 calling for representations,
objections and suggestions for inclusion of 36 Castes / Communities and
again some more communities were also notified from time to time.
After issue of Notification, public hearings were held with regard to
these castes and the Commission took up household sample survey to assess
the socio, educational, employment and economic conditions and to assess
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whether they are fit to be included in the list of Backward Classes or not. The
Caste representatives appeared before the Commission during the public
hearings and represented before the Commission for inclusion in the list
of Backward Classes.
The Commission also took into consideration of the findings contained
in Anthropological Survey of India contained in people of India, A.P. series.
Article 15(4) of the Constitution of India enables the State to make
special provisions for advancement of any socially and educationally backward
class of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Article
16(4) of the Constitution also enables the State to make special provisions for
reservations of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of
citizens, which in the opinion of the State is not adequately represented in the
services under the State. The expression “Socially and Educationally
Backward Classes of citizens” used in Article 15 (4) and 16 (4) are not defined
in the Constitution. In order to recognize a particular community or caste,
its social and educational backwardness is to be determined.
The Commission deputed a survey team to conduct household sample
survey of the communities in question. The commission adopted a
questionnaire for identification of social, educational, employment and
economic backwardness. The survey team collected data on the social
status, occupation aspects of discrimination, economic status, details of
properties held, amenities enjoyed, literacy and education level etc. The
data regarding the workers and non-workers was also collected. The said
information gathered was compiled and included in the survey report.
The Commission considered the representations submitted by the
representatives and material papers filed by them, findings of Anthropological
Survey of India, random sample survey reports and personal observations of
the Commission to decide whether a particular class/caste is fit to be included
in the list of Backward Classes or not and discussed herein:
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II. CRITERIA TO IDENTIFY A BACKWARD CLASS OF CITIZENS
The commission examined and discussed the criteria to be adopted for
the purpose of determining the educational, employment and social
backwardness. To identify a particular caste as a backward class for the
purpose of Articles 15 (4) and 16(4) of the constitution of India that particular
caste must be both educationally and socially backward. The Mandal
commission adopted certain criteria, which was followed by the later
commissions. This commission also followed the principles laid down by the
then Anantaraman commission and Mandal commission.
This commission adopted the criteria i.e., (1) social, (2) educational,
(3) employment, (4) economic and (5) political status of each community to
identify whether a particular caste or community is a backward class of
citizens or not as discussed below.
1. Social backwardness: - For the purpose of determining social
backwardness, the commission examined the traditional occupation in
practice, self perception of the occupation, treatment of occupation by
others, social discrimination, sectoral distribution and other factors
such as the place of habitation in Kutcha / Hut, whether the facilities
like telephone, electricity, latrine, drinking water are available within
their premises. Social customs such as child marriages, widow
marriages, divorce and child labour are prevalent or in practice.
2. Educational backwardness: - With regard to educational
backwardness the literacy rate when compared to the state literacy
level, percentage of matriculation passed, percentage of school
dropouts etc. were taken into account.
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3. Employment backwardness: - It is considered as employment
backwardness, if the representation in employment of the community
people surveyed is less than or equal to 1% in the Govt. services, if the
representation in employment of the community people is less than or
equal to 2% in the private sector, if the female work force of the
community is 50% or above engaged in economic activity, if
percentage of total workers of the community who are engaged in
agricultural labour and non-agricultural labour is equal or above the
state the total workers.
4. Economic Status: - With regard to economic status, the
commission considered if the majority of rural community is below the
poverty line i.e., Rs.18000/- P.A. or the majority of urban community is
below the poverty line i.e., Rs.24000/- P.A. or the majority of the rural
community is below per capita income of Rs.3750/- or the majority of
the urban community is below the per capita income of Rs.5000/-.
5. Political Status: - To determine the political status of the
community if no ward member of their caste is elected in the areas
where the households are surveyed, weightage points are given.
The commission adopted the principles laid down in Mandal case and
the data available with the commission are considered caste wise. The
commission followed the principles enunciated in several decisions of the
Apex court to arrive at the right conclusion.
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III. METHODOLOGY FOLLOWED BY THE COMMISSION
There were representations of castes and communities pending for
inclusion from several castes and communities by the time the commission
was reconstituted. The commission in its meeting held on 22-03-2006
resolved to examine certain castes, which are predominantly concentrated in
limited areas with less population. A notification was issued on 31-03-2006,
which was published in A.P. Gazette on 13-04-2006 and time to time calling
for representations, objections and suggestions. Subsequently public hearings
were conducted from 15-05-2006 to 25-05-2006 and after public hearings,
the commission personally visited the places where those people are residing
to assess their living conditions. The commission also deputed a survey team
and they conducted household sample survey and the results of data
collected by them were furnished to the commission. The commission took
into consideration the oral and written representations, material papers filed
by them, findings of Anthropological survey of India, A.P. series, sample
survey reports and personal observations of the commission to decide
whether a particular caste or class is fit to be included in the list of backward
classes or not. The commission examined all the material available on record
and took a decision in its meeting held on 05-02-2009.
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IV – CASTE WISE REPORT
(1) ATIRASA
Sri Illa Bhaskar Rao president, East-West Godavari Districts Atirasa
Abyudaya Sangham, (Atirasa Welfare Association) Dondapudi, West Godavari
District submitted his representation which was forwarded to the chairman,
Backward Classes Commission through Sri K. Vivekananda, the then MLA,
Gopalapuram constituency & Ex-Minister. In the said representation it was
submitted that, Atirasa community people are residing in East-West Godavari
Districts and that they are socially and educationally backward. It was
reported that, they eke-out their livelihood by working as agricultural coolies.
The educated in their community up to 5th class is marginal and no jobholder
in Government. They are not politically represented. Their estimated
population is said to have been about 13,000 of which about a thousand are
in E. Godavari District and the rest are in W. Godavari District. Sri P.
Singanna Dora, MLA Polavaram, also requested the Commission to include the
said caste in the list of Backward Classes. Several representations have also
been received in the Commission over the period. On request from the
community representationists the National Commission for Backward Classes
the caste was included the central list of Other Backward Classes which at S.
No. 104. Dr. P. Pulla Rao, P.hD. Polavaram and Sri Laljan Basha S.M.,
Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) have also made a similar request for
inclusion.
After the Commission was reconstituted, a notification dated 31-03-2006,
was issued which was published in A.P. Gazette, dated 13-04-2008 calling for
representations, suggestions, objections and the caste representatives sent
similar representations. The Commission held public hearing on 15-05-2006 in
which, Sri Illa Bhaskar Rao, Dondapudi appeared before the Commission and
pleaded for inclusion of Atirasa caste for the following reasons:-
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A) That about 90% people are wage earners in Agriculture
B) That about 10% only are small farmers
C) That only a small percent are studied up to 5th class
D) That there not a single person from the community as Government
employee and
E) That they have the custom in practice of widow remarriages.
The Commission has drafted the survey staff headed by Dy. Director
(statistics) to conduct the Household survey to assess the Socio-Educational
and economic conditions of the caste people and furnish a report to the
Commission. The data so collected by the survey team scrutinized, tabulated
and analyzed is as under.
Survey Results
1. Introduction:
The household sample survey was conducted during August 2007 in
East & West Godavari districts. The survey covered 108 Households of this
community. The traditional occupation of this community was reported as
Podu cultivation, Agriculture.
2. Social Status:
All the 108 Households surveyed comprising of 453 persons are living
in rural areas. Sex ratio is 91 females per 100 males, whereas the ratio for
population below 15 years is 85 females per 100 males. The average
households size of the community is 4.19 persons.
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Results on Traditional Occupation (T.O.)
Item Remarks No of Households
Percentage
a) Traditional occupation in practice
Yes No
104 4
96.3 3.7
b) Feeling of the caste people on Traditional Occupation
Superior Inferior Normal
0 42 66
0.0 38.9 61.1
c) T.O treated by others Superior Inferior Normal
0 41 67
0.0 38.0 62.0
d) Social discrimination Yes No Normal
35 1 72
32.4 0.9 66.7
About 96% of households are still attending to their traditional
occupation as Cultivation labourers. Self-perception of about 39% of
households is that, their traditional occupation is inferior while 38% of
households stated to have been treated as inferior by others. About 32% of
households have reported that they are socially discriminated in their
localities.
3. Educational Status:
a) Sex wise literates and illiterates:
S. No Description Male Female Total
1 Literates No %
93 46.3
87 45.8
180 46.0
2 Illiterates No %
108 53.7
103 54.2
211 54.0
The literacy rate of Male is 46.3% while that of Female is 45.8% and
combined is 46.0% where as the state level literacy rate is 70.32%, 50.43 %
and 60.47 % in that order. The literacy rate of the community is far below the
state literacy rate.
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b) Educational level completed (7 years & above)
Percentage over S. No
Class Passed
No. of persons Population Literates
1 Below 5th 90 23.0 50.0
2 5th class 63 16.0 35.0
3 7th class 20 5.1 11.0
4 10th class 5 1.3 2.8
5 Inter 1 0.3 0.6
6 Degree 1 0.3 0.6
7 P.Gr. 0 0.0 0.0
8 Pro.Tech. 0 0.0 0.0
All Classes 180 46.0 100.0
The literates of the Community up to 10th classed passed constitute
99.4% and the post matriculation passed is only 0.6% of the total literates.
This shows that the community is very backward in education and nil /
marginal in salaried employees’ category.
c) Literates and dropouts (7 years and above)
Percentage of Literates
Percent of dropouts
S. No
Age Group
Population
Total Literates
Among Age Group
Over Total Pop.
Drop outs from Edn.
Over Persons
Over Literate
s
1 7-14 84 79 94.0 20.2 27 32.1 34.2
2 15-24 90 54 60.0 13.8 49 54.4 90.7
3 25-39 126 36 28.6 9.2 36 28.6 100.0
4 40-59 78 11 14.1 2.8 10 12.8 90.9
5 60+ 13 0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0
All 391 180 46.0 122 31.2 67.8
The literacy rate of the community is far below the state literacy rate.
About 68% of dropouts are reported out of the total literates. The dropout
rates in the age group of 7-14 years are 32% over persons or 34% over the
literates. The children of this age group supposed to be in the list of school
enrollment. The dropout rate in the age group 15-24 is very high i.e., 90.7%
over literate population which shows very small number are continuing higher
education.
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d) Drop-outs from School/College studies with reasons (All-ages)
S. No Reason for Dropouts No. of persons
Dropout Rate
Percentage. over pop.
1 Failed 1 0.8 0.2
2 Education not required
9 7.3 2.0
3 Marriage 6 4.9 1.3
4 To work 35 28.5 7.7
5 Poverty 55 44.7 12.1
6 Health & others 17 13.8 3.8
All 123 100.0 27.2
About 73% of dropouts are on the reasons of poverty and to work for
a living. Among the dropouts, 7.3% have reported that education not
required and 4.9% dropouts due to marriage. Because of abstract
backwardness, the community did not recognize the value of education.
4. Employment Status: The surveyed population of “Atirasa” community is divided into Working
and Non Working groups basing on their economic activity. The Working
group is consisting of Daily wage earners, Self-employed, Regular salaried
and part-time workers while the Non-Working group comprising of children,
students, aged, retired, ill health, unemployed, and housewives.
a) Working and Non-Working population by sex is as follows.
Workers Non-Workers
Male Female Total Male Female Total
Number 155 140 295 82 76 158
Percentage Over total
65.4
64.8
65.1
34.6
35.2
34.9
As can be noticed, the Male workers constitute 65.4% while the
Female is 64.8% and the total workers is 65.1% of population against the
state work participation rates of 56.23%, 35.11% and 45.8% in that order. It
shows that the work participation rate of the community is higher than the
state work participation rate. This could be due to their participation in
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agriculture as daily-wage earners. The female work participation rate is
almost on par with male work participation, which shows stress on living with
related backwardness.
b) Statement showing Economic activity among working people.
S. No
Economic activity
Sex
Number Percent to Total popu- lation.
Percent to Worker- Population
1 Daily wage in Agri. Male Female Total
121 116 237
51.1 53.7 52.3
78.1 82.9 80.3
2 Daily wage in Non Agri. Male Female Total
1 1 2
0.4 05 0.4
0.6 0.7 0.7
3 Self employed in Agri Male Female Total
15 3 18
6.3 1.4 4.0
9.7 2.1 6.1
4 Self employed in Non-Agri Male Female Total
17 3 20
7.2 1.4 4.4
11.0 2.1 6.8
5 Regular salaried in Govt. Male Female Total
0 0 0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
6 Regular salaried in Pvt. Male Female Total
1 0 1
0.4 0.0 0.2
0.6 0.0 0.3
7 Part time workers Male Female Total
0 17 17
0.0 7.8 3.8
0.0 12.2 5.8
Grand Total
295
65.1
100.0
About 80% of the working population or 52% over the population of
the community are engaged as daily wage earners in agriculture where the
remuneration paid is comparatively low and the work availability is rather
seasonal. The self employed in agriculture is only 6% of the worker
population which shows that they do not possess agricultural lands though
their traditional occupation is agriculture.
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5. Economic status:
Description No. of
Households Percentage over hhs.
a) Possessing Agrl. Land 25 23.2
b) Type of House (residing)
i) Pucca ii) Semi pucca
iii) Kutcha/Huts
7 27 74
6.5 25.0 68.5
c) Having Ration cards:
i) White ii) Pink
iii) No card
101 3 4
93.5 2.8 3.7
d) Facilities/Amenities: i) Phone – Having connected Not having Phone
5 103
4.6 95.4
ii) Drinking water in the – Yes premises of households No
10 98
9.3 90.7
iii) Electricity connection Yes No
76 32
70.4 29.6
iv) Toilet within the premises Yes No
5 103
4.6 95.4
v) Percapita income = ... Per Annum Rs.7034/-
vi) Avg. Land holding = … acres. 0.50 Acres
About 69% of households are living in Kutcha / hut dwellings, 94 % of
households are possessing white ration cards, about 95% of households do
not have telephone facility. The households not having drinking water facility
within their premises is 91%, about 30% are without electricity connection to
their houses and 95% are without toilet facility with in their premises.
The Per capita income of this community is as low as Rs.7034/- as
against the state Per capita income Rs.25,695/-. Further, the average land
holding size of a household is a meager 0.50 Acres, though the entire
community is living in Rural Areas.
The survey results reveal that, about 96% of the households are still
attending to their traditional occupations., ie., Agriculture, above 39% of the
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households have reported that their traditional occupation is felt inferior by
them, above 38% of households felt that they are treated inferior by other
communities and about 32% of households felt that they were socially
discriminated in their locality. The literacy rate is far below the state average.
The school / college dropouts are more for the reasons of abstract
backwardness. The work participation rate is high which would reveal the
poverty of the community. The survey did not come across any person of any
level in government service while private and part time workers are found to
be very few. About 94% of the households are holding white ration cards,
69% of households are living in Kutcha houses and most of them are living in
unhygienic conditions without basic amenities like electricity, drinking water
and toilet facilities. The per capita income is far below the state average.
Being a small entity confined to East and West Godavari districts the Atirasa
caste was not exposed by research institutions / authorities of caste and
tribes. Upon representation from it community organization leaders, the
national Commission for Backward Classes have recognized this caste and
included in the list of Other Backward Classes.
Taking into consideration, all the relevant material collected as also on
the oral and written representations coupled with survey reports etc., this
Commission came to the conclusion that Atirasa caste / community is
socially and educationally backward and fit to be included under Group – D
at S. No. 41 in the list of Backward Classes and entitled to the benefits of
Articles 15 (4) and 16 (4) of the constitution of India and the area of
operation shall be confined to East and West Godavari Districts and we
recommend to the Government accordingly.
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(2) BUKKA AYYAVARS
Sri Alladi Nambaiah, Convener and Ex-officio, A.P. State Bukka
Ayyavars Welfare Society, Chennur, Adilabad district submitted representation
dated 05-07-1994, requesting to include Bukka Ayyavars in the list of
Backward Classes. It was prayed that they are socially, educationally,
economically and politically backward. The word ‘Bukka’ means Kumkum and
they are called ‘Ayyavars’, which means ‘Yachakulu’ or mendicants. They are
living in almost all the Districts of Telangana region and in Krishna District.
The estimated population as claimed by them in the year 1992 was 12,422.
They manufacture Kumkum, which is stated to be their traditional occupation.
Their literacy rate is very low and they are not educated. They are also
engaged in cultural activities like enacting street dramas. They are not
adequately represented in Government jobs. They are not politically
represented in any of the high post. They lived Nomadic and semi-Nomadic
life. They live by making and selling of Kumkum, Bukka, Dachana, combs,
mirrors, hair pins, needles and the like sundry articles.
Muralidhar Rao Commission has recommended Bukka Ayyavar
community for inclusion in the B.C list and Government issued orders
accordingly vide G.O.Ms No. 166 Social Welfare (P) Department dated
15-07-1986. Subsequently, the said G.O. was challenged in the High court of
Judicature and hence the said GO was not implemented. S.Janardhan,
President and V. Satyanarayana, Secretary of State Bukka Ayyavar Welfare
Sangh, Nizamabad have also represented to include Bukka Ayyavar caste in
the list of Backward Classes. Sri Alladi Nambaiah again submitted another
representation dated 29-7-1996 to the Commission with the same contents of
his earlier representation. The Government of Andhra Pradesh also recognized
Bukka Ayyavar community as one of nomadic tribes and extended the
benefits to the de-notified tribes as per Government Memo No. 481-P2/84-2
dated 16-06-1984. Andhra Pradesh State Central Bukka Ayyavars Welfare
Society has been repeatedly making requests from time to time. Sri
L.Ramana, Member of Parliament, Karimnagar Constituency also made a
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request on 18-11-1997 to include Bukka Ayyavar caste in the list of Backward
Classes under Group – A on the grounds that they are utterly backward
economically, educationally, socially and politically. Sri S. Janardhan Swamy,
President, A.P. Bukka Ayyavar Sangham, Nizamabad also made a
representation to the Commission. Sri V. Satyanarayana, Secretary Bukka
Ayyavar Sangham, Nizamabad also submitted representation for the said
purpose.
A.P.Commission has issued a notification dated 31-03-2006 which was
published in A.P. Gazette dated 13-04-2006 calling for representations,
objections and suggestions and the caste representatives have sent similar
representations. Subsequently, public hearing was held on 17-05-2006. At the
time of public hearing, Sarvasri Alladi Narayana, S. Ramulu, Sadula Venkata
Narayana, Sadula Janardhan Swamy, Vadala Satyanarayana and S.
Nandamayya appeared before the Commission and pleaded for inclusion of
their caste as they are socially and educationally backward.
The Commission deputed the survey team headed by its Deputy
Director (statistics) to conduct household sample survey to study the socio-
economic conditions of the caste people. The results of the survey are as
follows.
Survey Results
1. Introduction:
The survey team of the Commission conducted Local enquiries and
Investigations including household sample survey during June 2007 in
Karimnagar, Adilabad and Nizamabad Districts. The household sample survey
covered 69 Households of Bukka Ayyavar community. The traditional
occupation of Bukka Ayyavar community is selling of Bukka, Gulal and sundry
items.
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2. Social Status:
All the 69 Households surveyed comprising of 299 persons of whom
40% of the households are living in rural areas and the rest 60% in urban
areas. The household size of the community is 4.33 persons.
Results on Traditional Occupation (T.O.)
Item Remarks No of Households
Percentage
a) Traditional occupation in practice
Yes No
23 46
33.3 66.7
b) Self perception caste people on Traditional Occupation
Superior Inferior Normal
0 27 42
0.0 39.1 60.9
c) T.O treated by others Superior Inferior Normal
0 31 38
0.0 44.9 55.1
d) Social discrimination Yes No Normal
18 3 48
26.1 4.3 69.6
As can be seen from the above table, about 33% of households are
engaged in their traditional occupation i.e., selling of Bukka, Gulal etc., about
39% of households reported that their occupation is felt inferior by
themselves and 45% households have reported that, other communities feel
their caste as inferior. In view of the above, about 26% of households have
reported that they are discriminated by others in their neighborhoods.
3. Educational Status:
a) Literates and Illiterates by sex:
S. No Description Male Female Total
1 Literates No %
122 92.4
90 66.2
212 79.1
2 Illiterates No %
10 7.6
46 33.8
56 20.9
Literacy rate of males is 92.4% and that of females is 66.2 % and both
male and female combined is 79.1% as against the State literacy rates of
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70.32%, 50.43% and 60.47% of that order. The literacy of the community
is above the state literacy rate.
b) Educational level completed (7 years & above)
Percentage over S. No Class Passed No. of persons/ Literates
Population Literates
1 Below 5th 39 14.6 18.4
2 5th class 28 10.4 13.2
3 7th class 55 20.5 26.0
4 10th class 50 18.7 23.6
5 Inter 15 5.6 7.1
6 Degree 16 6.0 7.5
7 P.Gr. 6 2.2 2.8
8. Pro.Tech. 3 1.1 1.4
All Classes 212 79.1 100.0
The literates up to 10th passed constitute 64.2% over population and
81.2% over literates, where as Inter passed and above constitute only 14.9%
over population and 18.8% over literates. This phenomenon tells that, the
number of persons pursuing higher education is low which again a symptom
of backwardness.
c) Literates and dropouts (7 years and above):
S. No Age Group
Population Total Literates
Percentage of Literates
Drop outs
Percent of dropouts
Among Age Group
Over Total Pop.
Over Persons
Over Literates
1 7-14 42 40 95.2 14.9 2 4.8 5.0
2 15-24 63 60 95.2 22.4 27 42.9 45.0
3 25-39 85 73 85.9 27.2 59 69.4 80.8
4 40-59 49 30 61.2 11.2 27 55.1 90.0
5 60+ 29 9 31.0 3.4 8 27.6 88.9
All 268 212 79.1 79.1 123 45.9 58.0
The literacy rate of the community is 79%. The dropouts rate in the
age group of 7-14 years is 5% and the same in the age group of 15-24 is
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45%. This phenomenon shows that the dropouts in the higher education level
is rather high .The total dropouts over literates are 58%.
d) Drop-outs from School/College studies with reasons (All-ages)
S. No Reason for Dropouts No. of Persons
Dropout Rate
Percentage over population.
1 Failed 10 8.1 3.3
2 Education not required 5 4.0 1.7
3 Marriage 19 15.3 6.4
4 To work 32 25.8 10.7
5 Poverty 52 42.0 17.4
6 Health & others 6 4.8 2.0
All 124 100 41.5
The highest dropout rate is recorded for the reason of “poverty” with
42% followed by 25.8% with the reason” to work”. Thus both the reasons of
‘poverty’ and ‘to work’ put together will account for a whooping 67.8% which
would reveal that the caste people are living with abstract poverty.
4. Employment Status:
The surveyed population of Bukka Ayyavar community is divided into
Working group and Non Working group basing on their economic activity. The
Working group consisting of Daily wage earners, Self-employed, Regular
salaried and part-time workers and the Non-Working group consisting of
children, students, aged and ailing, retired, unemployed, and housewives.
a) Working and Non-Working groups of people by sex is as follows.
Workers Non-Workers
Male Female Total Male Female Total
Number 86 42 128 63 108 171
Percentage Over total
57.7 28.0 42.8 42.3 72.0 57.2
It is noticed that the Male workers constitute 57.7%, while that of
Female workers with 28.0% and the total workers at 42.8% as against the
State work participation rates of 56.2%, 35.1% and 45.8% of that order.
Though the work participation rate of this community is high, the per capita
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income is very low. This shows that majority of workers are engaged in un-
remunerative/menial jobs.
b) Statement showing Economic activity among working people.
S. No
Economic activity
Sex
Number
Percent to Total pop.
Percent to Workers- Population
1
Daily wage in Agriculture
Male Female Total
6 5 11
4.0 3.3 3.7
7.0 11.9 8.6
2
Daily wage in Non- Agriculture.
Male Female Total
12 7 19
8.1 4.7 6.3
13.9 16.7 14.8
3
Self employed in Agriculture
Male Female Total
2 0 2
1.3 0.0 0.7
2.3 0.0 1.6
4
Self employed in Non Agriculture
Male Female Total
44 17 61
29.5 11.3 20.4
51.2 40.5 47.6
5
Regular salaried in Govt
Male Female Total
6 0 6
4.0 0.0 2.0
7.0 0.0 4.7
6
Regular salaried in Pvt.
Male Female Total
15 3 18
10.1 2.0 6.0
17.4 7.1 14.1
7
Part time workers
Male Female Total
1 10 11
0.7 6.7 3.7
1.2 23.8 8.6
Grand Total 128 42.8 100
As can be seen from the above table, about 47.6% of workers are
engaged as self employed in non agriculture activity followed by 14.8% as
daily wage in Non Agriculture and a marginal 1.6% are engaged in Agriculture
as self employed. This would mean the community virtually has no
agricultural land to depend upon.
The work force engaged as regular salaried in both government and
Private sectors accounts for 18.8% of the work force. Over 71% of the work
forces are engaged as daily wage in Agriculture, daily wage in Non-
- 20 -
Agriculture and self employed in Non-Agriculture. As wage earners and
hawkers of sundry products, they have no assured income to depend upon.
This would reveal that the community is economically backward.
5. Economic status:
Description No. of
Households
Percentage over Households.
a) Possessing Agrl. Land 3 4.3
b) Type of House (residing)
i) Pucca ii) Semi pucca
iii) Kutcha/Huts
30 31 8
43.5 44.9 11.6
c) Having Ration cards:
i) White ii) Pink
iii) No card
64 5 0
92.8 7.2 0.0
d) Facilities/Amenities: i) Phone – Having connected Not having Phone
25 44
36.2 63.8
ii) Drinking water in the – Yes premises of households No
46 23
66.7 33.3
iii) Electricity connection Yes No
64 5
92.8 7.2
iv) Toilet within the premises Yes No
48 21
69.6 38.4
e) Percapita income ... Per Annum Rs. 7241/-
f) Avg. Land holding 0.03 Acres.
Though 41% of households of this community reside in rural areas the
percentage of households possessing Agricultural lands is only 4.3%. About
56% households are dwelling in Kutcha/ semi pucca houses. About 93% of
are possessing white Ration Card. About 64% are not having telephone
facility which is a drawback as most of them are engaged as self-employed in
Non-Agricultural activity for which communication is necessary for survival.
About 67% have no drinking water facility within premises and 38% are not
having individual sanitary latrines. The Percapita income of this community is
estimated at Rs. 7,241/- as against the State percapita income of Rs. 25,695/-
.
- 21 -
To sum up about 33% of the households are engaged in the traditional
occupation and they are looked down as inferiors by the society around them
and about a quarter of them are feeling that they are discriminated in their
neighborhood. Though the literacy rate is more than the state average the
portion of matriculates and above will account for only 18.8% of literates. The
dropouts from school or college are high. The per capita income is very low
and only 4.7% are working as regular salaried in Government establishments.
About 93% of the households possess white ration cards and they are living
in unhygienic conditions without basic amenities within their premises.
In his anthropological treatise, Edgar Thurston dealt with Bukka
community and observed that they are sellers of saffron (turmeric), red
powder, combs etc., They are street hawkers and their occupation is not
dignified and they occupy low social status and hence they are socially
backward.
The personal inspection of the Commission, survey report, oral
representation and other material collected would disclose that this caste had
not made significant progress in the spheres of education, economics and
political institutions. For the above reasons, this caste is entitled for the
benefit of Articles 15 (4) and 16 (4) of the constitution of the India.
Taking into consideration of the oral and written representations
submitted by the caste people, survey results, anthropological reports etc.,
the Commission came to the conclusion that Bukka Ayyavar caste /
community is socially, educationally and economically backward and therefore
entitled to the benefits envisaged in the Articles 15 (4) and 16 (4) of the
Constitution of India and fit to be included in the list of Backward Classes.
Since their traditional occupation is hawking sundry articles and move from
place to place to sell the goods, they are fit to be included under Group – A
of B. Cs. For the above said reasons, we recommend to the Government to
include Bukka Ayyavar caste / community in the list of Backward Classes
under Group – A at Sl. No. 47
- 22 -
(3) GOTRALA
Sri Gattu Swamy of Suddala village, Karimnagar District, Sri T.Narayana,
President and Sri N. Sankariah, Secretary of Gotrala Kula Sangham,
Karimnagar District gave representations to the Commission on 15-06-1994
and 07-08-1995 respectively requesting to include Gotrala caste or community
in the list of Backward Classes. Their traditional occupation is to recite the
genealogy and stories of the prominent families in the village and receive
their offering, thereby they were eking out their livelihood. Subsequently they
began to recite epics like Ramayana, Bhagavatam etc., and also perform
Harikatha and enact street shows. After introduction of Cinemas, their
traditional occupation was affected and their dramas and their stage shows
were not encouraged. They are socially, educationally, economically and
politically poor and they are looked down by others. They are now eking out
their livelihood by making broomsticks with the collected raw material from
forests and also weaving mats from date and Palmyra leaves. Some of them
are engaged in enacting street dramas. Their population is limited to certain
parts of Karimnagar, Adilabad, Medak, Nizamabad, Hyderabad and Ranga
Reddy Districts.
Sri T. Shankariah, President, Gotrala Kula Sangham, Karimnagar District
also gave representation on 10-10-1998 for inclusion. Their ancestors used to
recite the genealogy and Gotras of affluent families of the villages.
Subsequently they began to recite and enact dramas and street shows in the
form of HariKatha and Yaksha Ganam. After the introduction of Cinemas, their
traditional occupation was effected and male members were working as
coolies and females used to bundle broomsticks and sell them in the market
and also weave mats with date and Palmyra leaves.
Sri C.H. Siddi Ramulu, President and B. Rajamallu, General Secretary,
A.P. State Gotrala Kula Sangham Nizamabad and others also gave
representation on 06-06-2003 praying to include Gotrala caste contending
- 23 -
that there are 1,25,000 families in the State. Their representations were also
forwarded to the Commissioner, Backward Classes Welfare by Sri Nerella
Anjaneyulu, the then Minister for Technical Education & Training. It was
represented that they are residing in Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Adilabad,
Warangal, Medak, Nalgonda, Ranga Reddy, Khammam and Hyderabad
Districts and their population is about 8 to 9 Lakhs. They used to move from
village to village and go the houses of Pakanati Reddies, Gudadi Reddies,
Gone Kapus, Munnuru Kapus, Koorma, Yadava and Gollas and recite their
Gotras and with the offerings given by them, they eke out their livelihood
their livelihood. They also used to recite the epic Bhagawatam and stage
street dramas and live on that earnings by moving from place to place in that
errand. They have been making representations from time to time including
to the District Collector, Nizamabad. The representation of Gotrala Shiv
Shankar was also forwarded to the Chairman, Andhra Pradesh Commission for
Backward Classes through Sri Mohammed Ali Shabbir, the then Minister for
Information and Public Relations, Energy & Coal. Their caste is being referred
in the Ration cards, Patta passbooks and other revenue records. Their
representation was also forwarded to the Chairman, APCBC by Sri K.R.Suresh
Reddy, Speaker, A. P. Legislative Assembly.
The Commission in its meeting held on 22-03-2006 resolved to
examine the representations of the castes which are predominantly
concentrated in limited areas with lesser population and accordingly issued
notification dated 31-03-2006 which was published in A.P. Gazette dated 13-
04-2006 calling for representations, objections and suggestions for inclusion
of 36 castes including Gotrala caste. Subsequently public hearing was held on
18-05-2006 and during public hearing, Siddi Ramulu, Gotrala Mallesh, Gattu
Swamy, Gotrala Bhumanna, T.Srinivas and others appeared before the
Commission and pleaded that Gotrala caste is socially and educationally
backward and prayed for inclusion.
- 24 -
The Commission drafted the survey team headed by the Deputy Director
(statistics) to conduct sample survey during June 2007 in Adilabad,
Nizamabad and Karimnagar Distircts. The survey results are as follows.
Survey Results
1. Introduction:
The survey team of the Commission conducted Local enquiries and
Investigations including household sample survey during June 2007 in
Adilabad, Nizamabad and Karimnagar districts. The sample survey covered 93
Households of this community. The traditional occupation of this community is
found to be reciting Gotras to Gouda, Munnurukapu communities and stage
street dramas.
2. Social Status:
All the 93 Households comprising of 409 persons of which 89.2% are
living in rural areas and 10.8% live in urban areas with a household size of
4.4 persons. The sex ratio of the community is 102 Females per 100 Males
and for the age group 0-14 years it is 105 Females per 100 Males.
Results on Traditional Occupation (T.O.)
Item Remarks No of Households
Percentage
a)Traditional occupation in Practice
Yes No
24 69
25.81 74.19
b) Feeling of the caste people on Traditional Occupation
Superior Inferior Normal
2 39 52
2.15 41.94 55.91
c)Traditional occupation treated by others
Superior Inferior Normal
0 44 49
0.0 47.31 52.69
d) Social discrimination Yes No Normal
28 6 59
30.11 6.45 63.44
- 25 -
As can be seen about 26% households are doing their traditional
occupation and 42% of the households feel that their traditional occupation is
inferior. At the same time, 47% of them feel that their occupation is felt
inferior by others. In view of above, about 30% of households reported that,
they are social discriminated in their locality.
3. Educational Status:
a) Literates and illiterates by sex:
S. No Description Male Female Total
1 Literates No
Their %
133 73.89
84 44.92
217 59.13
2 Illiterates No Their %
47 26.11
103 55.08
150 40.87
Male literates of the community is recorded at 73.89% while the
Female is at 44.92% and total literacy is at 59.13% as against the state
literacy rate of 70.32%, 50.43% and 60.47 % of that order. The literacy rate
of the community is just below the state literacy except the female literacy
with a short fall of about 5.51% over the state.
b) Educational level completed (7 years & above)
Percentage over S. No Class Passed No. of persons
Population Literates
1 Below 5th 52 14.17 24.00
2 5th class 51 13.90 23.50
3 7th class 49 13.35 22.60
4 10th class 48 13.08 22.10
5 Inter 14 3.81 6.50
6 Degree 2 0.55 0.90
7 P.Gr. 1 0.27 0.50
8. Pro.Tech. - - -
All Classes 217 59.13 100.00
As can be seen from the above table, It is noticed that up to 10th class
passed persons constitute about 55% from out of total literates and 59.13
over population. The portion of literates intermediate and above constitutes
- 26 -
only a marginal 4.63% of the population or 7.90% over the literates. People
with higher education in the community are very low.
a) Literates and dropouts (7 years and above):
S. No Age Group
Population Total Literates
Percentage of Literates
Drop outs
Percent of dropouts
Among Age Group
Over Total Pop.
Over Persons
Over Literates
1 7-14 71 69 97.2 18.8 5 7.0 7.3
2 15-24 86 79 91.9 21.5 50 58.1 63.3
3 25-39 88 35 39.8 9.5 34 38.6 97.1
4 40-59 95 29 30.5 7.9 28 29.5 96.6
5 60+ 27 5 18.5 1.4 5 18.5 100.0
All 367 217 59.1 59.1 122 33.2 56.2
The overall drop out rate over population is 33.2% and 56.2% over
literates. The dropout rates in the age groups of 7-14 and 15-24 years are
7.63% and 66.3% respectively. The dropouts in higher education level are
very high which is a symptom of backwardness.
b) Drop-outs from School/College studies with reasons (All-ages)
S. No Reason for Dropouts No. of persons
Dropout Rate
Percentage. Over pop.
1 Failed 4 3.3 1.0
2 Education not required
4 3.3 1.0
3 Marriage 11 9.0 2.7
4 To work 41 33.6 10.0
5 Poverty 51 41.8 12.5
6 Health & others 11 9.0 2.7
All 122 100.0 29.8
The reasons for the dropouts as can be seen above, 41.8% have
stated that due to poverty, followed by 33.6% to work for living and 9% due
to marriage. Thus over 75.4% dropouts are due to the reason of poverty in
general.
- 27 -
4. Employment Status:
The entire surveyed population of “Gotrala” community basing on
their economic activity is divided into Working and Non Working groups. The
Working group of people is consisting of Daily wage earners, Self-employed,
Regular salaried and part-time workers. The Non-Working group consisting of
children, students, aged and infirm, retired, unemployed and housewives.
a) Working and Non-Working groups of people by sex is as follows.
Workers Non-Workers
Male Female Total Male Female Total
Number 118 101 219 84 106 190
Percentage Over total
58.4 48.8 53.5 41.6 51.2 46.5
It is noticed that the Male workers constitute 58.4% while that of
Female with 48.8% and the total working persons constitute 53.5% as
against the state work participation rate of 56.23%, 35.11% and 45.8% of
that order. The work participation rate of this community is above the state
work participation rate.
- 28 -
b) Statement showing Economic activity among working people.
S. No Economic activity Sex Number Percent to Total pop.
Percent to Workers- population
1 Daily wage in Agri. Male Female Total
37 40 77
18.3 19.3 18.9
31.4 39.6 35.2
2 Daily wage in Non Agri. Male Female Total
30 27 57
14.9 13.0 13.9
25.4 26.7 26.0
3 Self employed in Agri Male Female Total
11 3 14
5.4 1.5 3.4
9.3 3.0 6.4
4 Self employed in Non-Agri Male Female Total
32 4 36
15.8 1.9 8.8
27.1 4.0 16.4
5 Regular salaried in Govt. Male Female Total
2 3 5
1.0 1.5 1.2
1.7 3.0 2.3
6 Regular salaried in Pvt. Male Female Total
6 1 7
3.0 0.5 1.7
5.1 1.0 3.2
7 Part time workers Male
Female
Total
0
23
23
0.0
11.1
5.6
0.0
22.7
10.5
Grand Total 219 53.5% 100.0
As can be seen from the above table, the working population of this
community is distributed among all the given economic activities with varying
percentages. The highest numbers of workers are engaged in Daily wage in
Agriculture by 18.9% over population or 35.2% over work force followed by
daily wage in Non-Agriculture activity by 13.9% and by 26.0% respectively.
About 3.0% of workers over population or 5.5% over working population are
in Regular salaried in Govt. & Private establishments. About 32 % over
population or 61.2% over total workers are engaged in un-skilled,
un-dignified and non-remunerative works. The work force of this community
is found to be above the state average which shows the abstract poverty
prevailing in the community which warrants every member of the community
should work for living
- 29 -
5. Economic status:
Description No. of Households
Percentage over hhs.
a) Possessing Agrl. Land 40 43.0
b) Type of House (residing) - -
i) Pucca ii) Semi pucca
iii) Kutcha/Huts
24 59 10
25.8 63.4 10.8
c) Having Ration cards: - -
i) White ii) Pink
iii) No card
93 0 0
100.0 0.0 0.0
d) Facilities/Amenities: i) Phone – Having connected Not having Phone
20 73
21.5 78.5
ii) Drinking water in the – Yes premises of households No
41 52
44.1 55.9
iii) Electricity connection Yes No
86 7
92.5 7.5
iv) Toilet within the premises Yes No
19 74
20.4 79.6
v) Percapita income =… Per Annum Rs. 5,835/- -
vi) Avg. Land holding =… acres. 0.25 -
About 43% of households are found to be possessing Agriculture land
but the “self employed in Agriculture” is only 3.4% over population or 6.4%
over workers. About 74% of households are residing in semi pucca houses
and huts. All the households are possessing white Ration Cards. About
78.5% have no phone connections, about 56% of them have no drinking
facility within premises and about 80% have no individual sanitary latrines.
Average land holding size is a marginal 0.25 acres and their per capita income
is Rs. 5,835/- as against the average State per capita income of Rs. 25,695/-.
The survey data would reveal that the community is socially discriminated
and treated as occupationally inferior. The per capita income of this
community is just 22.71% of the State average. The female literacy rate is
lower than the State average. All the surveyed household are in possession of
white ration cards and are living in un-hygienic condition without basic
- 30 -
amenities like drinking water, electricity and toilet facilities within their
premises. The women folk are engaged in mat making from Palmyra leaves
and date palm leaves and hence they are lookdown upon by the society
around them.
It has been found that this caste has not been dealt with any of the
Research Institutions/ Anthropologists like Kitts, Thurston, Syed Siraj – ul –
Hassan and People of India A.P. Series. In the absence of any authoritative
literature, the Commission was compelled to act on the representations made
by the caste representatives and the personal observation of the Commission
and the report of the survey team. On examination of the report of the survey
team, the traditional occupation was and is comparable to that of
‘Pitchiguntala’ caste, which was recognized as Backward Class in A.P. Material
truth would reveal that the castes suffers from social stigma by its vocation
their employment strength in Govt./ Private Institution is marginal and have
no political representation. These facts would justify that they deserve the
benefits under Articles 15 (4) and 16 (4) of the Constitution of India for a
place in the list of backward classes and fit to be in Group-A of BCs. to this
caste considering the living conditions of the people and they are fit to be inc
under Group – A of the existing list of BCs.
With the survey results on hand, all the supporting facts collected by the
Commission at the time of hearing, with due regard to the principles or
criteria laid down in the Mandal case and the criteria adopted by this
Commission, Gotrala caste or community is found to be socially,
educationally and economically backward for the purpose of Articles 15 (4)
and 16 (4) of the Constitution of India and fit to be included in the list of
Backward Classes under Group – A at S. No 48 and this Commission
recommends for inclusion of the said caste accordingly.
- 31 -
(4) KASIKAPADI / KASIKAPUDI
Sri A. Sathaiah, President, Kasikapadi / Kasikapudi Sangham, Hyderabad
and others submitted representations on 14-09-1994 and again on
27-01-1996 for inclusion of Kasikapadi / Kasikapudi caste / community in the
list of Backward Classes. They have submitted that their traditional occupation
was to collect prasada (food offerings to Lord Siva) of Lord Vishwanath of
Kasi and the holy water of river Ganga and distribute the same to devotees
living in the villages of Andhra Pradesh and Maharastra. In exchange for the
sacred water and prasada, the villagers used to give food grains and money
to these people. Due to obsolescence of this age-old custom, Kasikapadi /
Kasikapudi community have become a trading community now a days, dealing
with buying and selling of old clothes, groceries and petty business in small
towns and cities. Most of them are landless and a good number of them work
as non-skilled labourers. Their literacy rate is very low and they are
economically poor. Muralidhara Rao Commission recommended for inclusion
of this community in the list of Backward Classes and accordingly the
Government accepted and issued Government G.O. but the said G.O. was
challenged and the High Court which struck down certain clauses of the
order. Consequently, Government ordered status quo-anti on the orders
issued on the basis of recommendations made by Muralidhara Rao
Commission. For the said reasons, they prayed the Commission for inclusion
of their Community in the Backward Classes.
After the reconstitution of the A.P. Commission for BCs was, the
Commission issued a notification dated 31-03-2006 which was published in
A.P. Gazette dated 13-04-2006, calling for representations, suggestions and
objections, for inclusion in the B.C List. Public hearing was held on
15-05-2006, in which the representatives have submitted the same
representation to the Commission.
- 32 -
The Commission has drafted the survey staff headed by Dy. Director
(statistics) to conduct the Household survey to assess the socio-Educational
and economic conditions of the caste people and furnish a report to the
Commission. The data so collected by the survey team scrutinized, tabulated
and analyzed is as under.
Survey Results
1. Introduction:
The survey team of the Commission conducted Local enquiries,
Investigations and household sample survey during September 2007 in
Hyderabad, Mahaboobnagar and Nizamabad Districts. A total of 118
Households have been covered in the sample survey.
2. Social Status:
All the 118 Households comprising 510 persons are living in urban area
only, with average size 4.32 persons per household. The sex ratio of the
Community is 100 Females per 100 Males and for the age group up to 14
years the ratio is 95 Females per 100 Males.
Results on Traditional Occupation (T.O.)
Item Remarks No of Households
Percentage
a) Traditional occupation in practice
Yes No
34 84
28.8 71.2
b) Feeling of the caste people on Traditional Occupation
Superior Inferior Normal
0 36 82
0.0 30.5 69.5
c) T.O treated by others Superior Inferior Normal
0 31 87
0.0 26.3 73.7
d) Social discrimination Yes No Normal
27 0 91
22.9 0.0 77.1
About 29% of households of the Community are engaged in their
Traditional Occupation for livelihood. About 31% of households felt that their
- 33 -
Traditional occupation is inferior, about 26% of households reported that,
their Occupation is being treated inferior by others and 23% of households
have reported that they are socially discriminated in their neighborhood.
3. Educational Status:
a) Literates and Illiterates by sex (7 Years & above)
S. No Description Male Female Total
1 Literates No %
202 90.2
182 80.2
384 85.1
2 Illiterates No %
22 9.8
45 19.8
67 14.9
The male literacy of the Community is 90.2% while the Female is
80.2% and total is 85.1 % against the state literacy rate 70.32%, 50.43%
and 60.47% of the same order. As can be observed, the literacy rate of the
Community is above the state literacy level, which shows that the community
is literacy conscious due to living in urban area.
b) Educational level completed (7 years & above)
The literates up to 10th class passed registered at 86.2% and the
Matriculation passed and above is 13.8% over literate population. The
percentage of people with higher education is very low.
Percentage over S. No Class Passed No. of literate persons Population Literates
1 Below 5th 62 13.8 16.2
2 5th class 51 11.3 13.3
3 7th class 133 29.5 34.6
4 10th class 85 18.8 22.1
5 Inter 38 8.4 9.9
6 Degree 10 2.2 2.6
7 P.Gr. 3 0.7 0.8
8. Pro.Tech. 2 0.4 0.5
All Classes 384 85.1 100.0
- 34 -
c) Literates and dropouts (7 years and above):
S. No Age
Group Population Total
Literates Percentage of Literates
Percent of dropouts
Among Age Group
Over Total Pop.
Drop outs from edn.
Over Persons
Over Literates
1 7-14 85 85 100.0 18.8 3 3.5 3.5
2 15-24 94 86 91.5 19.1 51 54.3 59.3
3 25-39 145 133 91.7 29.5 129 89.0 97.0
4 40-59 101 70 69.3 15.5 68 67.3 97.1
5 60+ 26 10 38.5 2.2 9 34.6 90.0
All 451 384 85.1 85.1 260 57.6 67.7
About 57.6% of dropouts over population or 67.7% over literates is
noticed. The dropout rate in the age-group 15-24 years is 54.3% over
population and 59.3% over literates. This phenomenon shows the dropout
rate is high in higher education due to poverty.
d) Drop-outs from School/College studies with reasons (All-ages)
S. No Reason for Dropouts No. of
Dropouts Dropout Rate
Percentage. over pop.
1 Failed 30 11.5 5.9
2 Education not required
4 1.5 0.8
3 Marriage 67 25.8 13.1
4 To work 85 32.7 16.7
5 Poverty 59 22.7 11.6
6 Health & others 15 5.8 2.9
All 260 100.0 51.0
The strongest reason for dropout noticed is ‘to work’ with 32.7%,
followed by ‘Marriage’ 25.8%, and ‘Poverty’ 22.7%. As can be noticed as
much as 55% of dropouts are due to poverty in general and to work for a
living.
- 35 -
4. Employment Status: The surveyed population of Kasikapadi / Kasikapudi community basing
on their economic activity is divided into working group and Non Working
groups. The Working group of people is consisting of Daily wage earners,
Self-employed, Regular salaried and part-time workers while the Non-Working
group consisting of children, students, aged and infirm, retired, unemployed,
and housewives.
a) Working and Non-Working groups of people by sex is as follows. Workers Non-Workers
Male Female Total Male Female Total
Number 147 84 231 108 171 279
Percentage Over total
57.6 32.9 45.3 42.4 67.1 54.7
As can be noticed, the work participation rate of Male is 57.6% while
the Female is at 32.9% and the total workers at 45.3% as against the state
work participation rates of 56.23%, 35.11%, and 45.89% of that order. The
work participation rate of the community is more or less the same that of the
state work participation rate.
- 36 -
b) Statement showing Economic activity among working people.
S. No Economic activity Sex Number
% to Total pop.
% to Worker- population
1 Daily wage in Agri. Male Female Total
4 1 5
1.5 0.4 1.0
2.7 1.2 2.2
2 Daily wage in Non Agri. Male Female Total
30 20 50
11.8 7.8 9.8
20.4 23.8 21.6
3 Self employed in Agri Male Female Total
0 0 0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
4 Self employed in Non-Agri Male Female Total
61 33 94
23.9 13.0 18.4
41.5 39.3 40.7
5 Regular salaried in Govt Male Female Total
3 0 3
1.2 0.0 0.6
2.0 0.0 1.3
6 Regular salaried in Pvt. Male Female Total
49 9 58
19.2 3.5 11.4
33.3 10.7 25.1
7 Part time workers Male Female Total
0 21 21
0.0 8.2 4.1
0.0 25.1 9.1
Grand Total 231 45.3 100.0
Among the workers of the Community only 0.6% over population are
employed in Govt. services. The highest workers are found to be engaged in
‘Self employed in Non-Agriculture’ activity with 18.4% over population or
40.7% over workers followed by regular salaried in put with 11.4% over
population and 25.1% over work force and daily wage earners in non-
agriculture with 9.8% over population and 21.6% over workforce.
- 37 -
5. Economic status:
Description No. of
Households Percentage over hhs.
a) Possessing Agrl. Land 0 0.0
b) Type of House (residing)
i) Pucca ii) Semi pucca
iii) Kutcha/Huts
68 45 5
57.6 38.1 4.3
c) Having Ration cards:
i) White ii) Pink
iii) No card
103 11 4
87.3 9.3 3.4
d) Facilities/Amenities: i) Phone – Having connected Not having Phone
36 82
30.5 69.5
ii) Drinking water in the – Yes premises of households No
92 26
78.0 22.0
iii) Electricity connection Yes No
118 0
100.0 0.0
iv) Toilet within the premises Yes No
105 13
89.0 11.0
e) Percapita income Rs 9519/- Per Annum
f) Avg. Land holding 0.00… acres. 0 0
As can be noticed, about 42.4% of households are living in semi-pucca
and kutcha houses, 87% are possessing white ration cards, 70% without
phone facility and about 22% of households without drinking water facility
within premises. The comparative position of amenities availed is slightly fair
due to living in urban areas.
The per capita income of the Community is Rs.9, 519/- as against the
state per capita income of Rs.25,695/-.
The survey results reveal that 29% of the households of the
community are engaged in their traditional occupation, 31% of the
households feel that their occupation is inferior and 26% reported that their
occupation has been treated inferior by others and about 23% are socially
discriminated in their living areas. Though the literacy level is higher than the
- 38 -
state literacy, there are very few people who are Matriculates and above. The
school / college dropouts are more for the reasons mentioned in the report.
The persons who are engaged in Government services are very few. About
87.3% possess white ration cards and about 42.4% live in semi pucca and
Kutcha houses without basic amenities. Their per capita income is also very
low.
On representation, Muralidhar Rao Commission recommended
Kasikapadi / Kasikapudi as one among 9 communities for inclusion in the B.C
list. The observations of Sri Muralidhara Rao Commission are as follows:
“Kasikapadi / Kasikapudi community population is very limited around
10,000 and scattered in Hyderabad, Nizamabad, Mahaboobnagar and
Adilabad districts. Their living is mainly, by hawking of old clothes after
obtaining them from various people in exchange of some articles. They are
not in a position to give any kind of education to their children. Some people
eke out their livelihood even by begging. They migrated originally from
Maharastra state to old Hyderabad state. The Maharastra Government has
included this community in the list of Backward Classes under the name
“Kapadi”. They are looked down upon in the society and also suffer from
educational backwardness. Therefore this Commission recommends the
inclusion of Kasikapadi / Kasikapudi community in the list of Backward
Classes.”
Basing the report of Muralidhara Rao Commission, State Government
issued G.O.Ms. No. 166 S.W. (P) Department dated 15-07-1986.
Subsequently, writ petitions were filed and the High Court which struck down
clauses 13, 14 and 15 of the said G.O. There up on Government ordered
status quo-anti. Consequently the said G.O. was not implemented. The
National Commission for Backward Classes considered their request and
recommended for inclusion on 10-09-1997. The caste is also recognized as
backward class in the states of Karnataka and Maharastra.
- 39 -
Kasikapadi / Kasikapudi community is in fact a nomadic tribe said to
have been migrated from Maharastra to old Hyderabad state. Presently they
are living mainly by hawking old clothes which they collect in exchange of
some utensils of plastic, aluminum for general household use.. The status of
the community is very low in society as they are in the hawking business.
There is no political representation of any level and very few are in
Government jobs. They are scattered over Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy,
Nizamabad, Mahaboobnagar and Adilabad Districts
Considering the living conditions of the people, oral and written
representations made by them and other material, it may be concluded that
Kasikapadi / Kasikapudi community is socially and educationally backward and
thus entitled to the benefits made under Articles 15 (4) and 16 (4) of the
Constitution of the India and fit to be included in the list of Backward Classes
The area of operation shall be confined to Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy,
Nizamabad, Mahaboobnagar and Adilabad districts of Telangana region.
For the reasons mentioned above, we recommend to the Government
for inclusion of Kasikapadi / Kasikapudi caste / community in the list of
Backward Classes under Group – A at S. No. 49 in the list of Backward
Classes and the area of operation shall be confined to Hyderabad, Ranga
Reddy, Nizamabad, Mahaboobnagar and Adilabad districts of Telangana
region.
- 40 -
(5) SIDDULA
Sri S. Shankaraiah, Pesident, Andhra Pradesh Siddula Caste Association
submitted representation to the Chairman, Backward Classes Commission on
16-6-1998 requesting to include Siddula caste under Group – A in the list of
Backward Classes. It was represented that Siddula Caste people are residing
in the districts of Medak, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Khammam and Hyderabad.
The entire population of their community is about 3000 people only residing
at the outskirts of the villages with negligible population. Their ancestors are
said to have dwelling in forests, caves and hillocks as such the names of such
places as Siddula gutta are seen near Kurnool, Shamsahbad, Vemulaswada
etc., still stand in testimony. They used to live by begging. The forward
communities did not treat them with respect as such they are looked down in
the society. Some of the families engaged in selling paper flowers, Kumkum,
Combs, leaves plates etc. They are socially, educationally and economically
backward. They do not possess agricultural lands. They used to migrate from
place to place during shandy and local festivals. Their literacy rate is very low
and most of their children are engaged in the same vocation to support to
augment their family income. Sri Siddula Ravinder, General Secretary, State
Siddula Caste Association and others also represented and made a request to
the commission. Sri S Sivarajam, President A.P. Siddula Caste Society,
Siddipet, Medak District along with S. Prabhakar, Yadagir and S. Sudhakar
met the Chairman on 30-5-2000 and presented a memorandum with a list of
towns / villages where the Siddula caste people are predominantly seen. They
too have represented that the majority of the caste people are engaged in
selling Bukha, Gulal, Kumkum, Combs and other articles and they move from
place to place during Sandy and Jataras. They are distinct from Poosala caste
and are grossly under represented in the services of A.P. and therefore they
requested for inclusion of their caste in B.Cs. Sri R. Krishnaiah, President, A.P.
Backward Classes Association also represented for inclusion of Siddula caste
in the list of Backward Classes under Group – A. Siddula Sivarajam again
represented before the commission with a similar request on 24-2-2006.
- 41 -
Subsequent to the receipt of the representations, the commission
issued a notification dt.30-3-2006 calling for representations, objections and
suggestions and their caste people represented the very same facts.
Subsequently public sitting and hearing was held on 16-05-2006 in which Sri
S. Sivarajam, S. Venkatesham, S. Ravinder and others appeared before the
commission and represented that Siddula caste is socially, educationally and
economically backward and majority of them are below poverty line.
The Commission deputed a survey team headed by the Deputy
Director (Statistics) to conduct household sample survey of the caste. The
data thus collected, scrutinized, tabulated and analyzed is as reported below.
Survey Results
1. Introduction:
The survey team of the Commission conducted Local enquiries and
Investigations including household survey during June & August 2007 in
Nizamabad, Karimnagar & Medak Districts. The sample household Survey
covered 72 Households of this community. The traditional occupation of this
community is found to be manufacture & sale of wooden articles and dolls.
2. Social Status:
The 72 Households surveyed comprising of 308 persons. About 44.4%
are living in rural areas and 55.6% in urban areas. The average family size is
4.28 persons. The sex ratio of the community is 90 Females per 100 Males
and for the age group 0-14 years, it is 84 Females per 100 Males, which is far
below the state’s sex ratio (978 females per 1000males). This phenomenon
does show that female infanticide may be prevalent in the community.
- 42 -
Results on Traditional Occupation (T.O.)
Item Remarks No. of Households
Percentage
a) Traditional occupation in practice
Yes No
16 56
22.2 77.8
b) Feeling of the caste people on Traditional Occupation
Superior Inferior Normal
0 8 64
0.0 11.1 88.9
c) T.O treated by others Superior Inferior Normal
0 8 64
0.0 11.1 88.9
d) Social discrimination Yes No Normal
4 28 40
5.6 38.9 55.5
As can be observed, about 22.2% of house holds are attending to
their traditional Occupation. Only 11.1% of households are feeling that their
occupation is inferior perhaps due to the feeling of dignity of labour. A
marginal 5.6% of households feel that they are being socially discriminated on
account of their occupation in their neighborhood with religious activism and
saivism, the social discrimination may not have been felt by the community.
3. Educational Status:
a) Literates and illiterate by Sex.
S. No Description Male Female Total
1 Literates No %
130 88.4
68 51.9
198 71.2
2 Illiterates No %
17 11.6
63 48.1
80 28.8
The male literacy of the Community is 88.4% while the Female is
51.9% and total is 71.2 % against the state literacy rates of 70.32%, 50.43%
and 60.47% of the same order. As can be observed, the literacy rate of the
Community is just above the state literacy level, which shows that the
community is literacy conscious.
- 43 -
b) Educational level completed (7 years & above)
Percentage over S. No Class Passed No. of persons Population Literates
1 Below 5th 37 13.3 18.7
2 5th class 26 9.4 13.1
3 7th class 64 23.0 32.3
4 10th class 43 15.5 21.7
5 Inter 15 5.4 7.6
6 Degree 12 4.3 6.1
7 P.Gr. 0 0.0 0.0
8. Pro.Tech. 1 0.4 0.5
All Classes 198 71.2 100.0
The percentage of persons passed up to 10th class is 61.2% over
population and 85.8% over literates while persons with inter and above is
10.1% over population and 14.2% over literates. Persons who passed post-
matriculation are very less.
c) Literates and dropouts (7 years and above)
S. No Age Group
Population Total Literates
Percentage of Literates
Drop outs
Percent of dropouts
Among Age Group
Over Total Pop.
Over Persons
Over Literates
1 7-14 40 40 100.0 14.4 5 12.5 12.5
2 15-24 73 64 87.7 23.0 36 49.3 56.3
3 25-39 81 67 82.7 24.1 64 79.0 95.5
4 40-59 59 22 37.3 7.9 22 37.3 100.0
5 60+ 25 5 20.0 1.8 5 20.0 100.0
All 278 198 71.2 71.2 132 47.5 66.7
The overall dropout rate is 47.5% over population or 66.7% over
literates. In the age group of 7-14 years though the literacy rate is 100%, the
dropouts over literates is 12.5% while for the age group 15-24 it is as high as
56.3 over literates. The dropout rate for the age group 15-24 is 49.3% over
passed and 56.3 over literates.
- 44 -
d) Drop-outs from School/College studies with reasons (All-ages)
S. No Reason for Dropouts No. of persons
Dropout Rate
Percentage. over pop.
1 Failed 14 10.6 4.5
2 Education not required 3 2.3 1.0
3 Marriage 20 15.1 6.5
4 To work 48 36.4 15.6
5 Poverty 44 33.3 14.3
6 Health & others 3 2.3 1.0
All 132 100.0 42.9
As can be inferred above the highest dropout rate is recorded for the
reason “to work 36.4%” followed by “Poverty “with 33.3%. About’ 15.1% are
due to “marriage “and 10.6% due to” failed” and could not continue further
education. This shows economic / social backwardness of the community.
4. Employment Status:
The surveyed population of Siddula community basing on their
economic activity is divided into working group and Non Working groups. The
Working group is consisting of Daily wage earners, Self-employed, Regular
salaried and part-time workers while the Non-Working group consisting of
children, students, aged and ailing, retired, unemployed and housewives.
a) Working and Non-Working groups of people by sex is as follows.
Workers Non-Workers
Male Female Total Male Female Total
Number 99 51 150 63 95 158
Percentage Over total
61.1 34.9 48.7 38.9 65.1 51.3
As can be noticed, the Male workers constitute 61.1% whereas the
Female is at 34.9% and the total workers at 48.7% as against the state work
participation rates of 56.23%, 35.11%, 45.80 % of that order. The work
participation rates of this community are higher than the state rates except
for the female rate.
- 45 -
b) Statement showing Economic activity among working people.
S. No Economic activity Sex Number Percent to Total pop.
Percent to Workers- population
1 Daily wage in Agri. Male Female Total
14 11 25
8.6 7.5 8.1
14.1 21.6 16.7
2 Daily wage in Non Agri. Male Female Total
17 14 31
10.5 9.6 10.1
17.2 27.5 20.7
3 Self employed in Agri Male Female Total
2 0 2
1.2 0.0 0.6
2.0 0.0 1.3
4 Self employed in Non-Agri Male Female Total
44 20 64
27.2 13.7 20.8
44.4 39.2 42.7
5 Regular salaried in Govt. Male Female Total
4 0 4
2.5 0.0 1.3
4.0 0.0 2.7
6 Regular salaried in Pvt. Male Female Total
18 2 20
11.1 1.4 6.5
18.2 3.9 13.3
7 Part time workers Male Female Total
0 4 4
0.0 2.7 1.3
0.0 7.8 2.7
Grand Total 150 48.7 100.0
The working population of this community is engaged in all the above-
classified economic activities. About 43% of workers over working population
are engaged as self-employed in Non-Agriculture. The workers engaged in
Regular salaried in Govt. and in private establishments put together constitute
only 8% over population or 16% over working population. Over 37.4% are
engaged on daily wages in Agriculture and Non Agriculture-sector over
workers. Self employed in agriculture constitute only 0.6% over population
which shows that the land holdings are negligible in the community.
- 46 -
5. Economic status:
Description No. of Households
Percentage over hhs.
a) Possessing Agrl. Land 4 5.6
b) Type of House (residing) - -
i) Pucca ii) Semi pucca
iii) Kutcha/Huts
33 33 6
45.8 45.8 8.3
c) Having Ration cards: - -
i) White ii) Pink
iii) No card
64 5 3
88.9 6.9 4.2
d) Facilities/Amenities: i) Phone – Having connected Not having Phone
15 57
20.8 79.2
ii) Drinking water in the – Yes premises of households No
55 17
76.4 23.6
iii) Electricity connection Yes No
68 4
94.4 5.6
iv) Toilet within the premises Yes No
56 16
77.8 22.2
v) Percapita income = … Per Annum Rs.7967/- -
vi) Avg. Land holding = … acres. 0.09 Acres -
About 54% of households are living in semi-pucca and kutcha/hut
dwellings. About 88.9% are having white ration cards, 79.2% of households
are without telephone connections, 23.6% of households having no drinking
water facilities within premises and 22.2% without individual sanitary Latrines.
Only 5.6% households are in possession of Agricultural land with a meager
holding size of 0.09 Acres.
The per capita income of this community is as low as Rs 7,967/- as
against the state per capita income of Rs 25,695/-
Siddula caste people are living in limited areas with less population.
The estimated population of the caste is 5000. There is no literature available
on this caste. Thurston and Syed Siraj Ul Hassan have not dealt with in their
- 47 -
works. On an extensive and intensive local investigation done by survey
teams and the representations of the caste people, the commission found
that Siddula caste people are engaged as hawkers in the preparation and sale
of Basingalu and Batakammalu. They also sell combs, leaves plates, Kumkum,
Bukka, Gulal etc, like Poosala community people. The traditional and present
occupation of the caste is comparable to that of Poosala caste, which is
enlisted at Serial No. 24 of Group – D of B.Cs. Comparatively the living
conditions of Siddula caste is far below Poosala caste.
Basing on the oral and written representations submitted by Siddula
caste people, survey report and other material collected by the commission,
the commission came to the conclusion that Siddula caste is socially,
Educationally and economically backward and they are not adequately
represented in the services of the state and political institutions. For above
said reasons they are entitled for the benefits envisaged under articles 15 (4)
and 16 (4) of the constitution.
For the reasons stated above, we recommend to the Govt. to recognize
Siddula caste as backward caste both for the purposes of articles 15 (4) and
16 (4) of the Constitution of India, confining the area of operation to
Telangana region only. Siddula caste may be included under Group – A at
S. No. 50 in the list of Backward Classes.
- 48 -
(6) SIKLIGAR / SAIKALGAR
Sri Nanak Singh from Sanga Reddy of Medak district submitted his
representation on 10-05-1994 to the Chairman, A.P. Commission for
Backward Classes requesting for inclusion of Sikligar / Saikalgar Caste in the
B.C. list. It was sated that, Saikalgar Community is part and parcel of Sikh
Community, which was migrated from Punjab along with Sikh Army to
prepare arms for Sikh Army during the period of the Vth Nizam of Hyderabad.
Nizam Vth invited Sikh Army from Maha Raja Ranjeet Singh to Hyderabad
State in the year 1830 to collect Land Revenue in the Nizam dominion. After
the amalgamation of the Nizam territory into the Indian union the Sikh Army
was disbanded and were taken in to the Govt. service. Hence the occupation
of Saikalgar Community has received a severe blow with no Government
patronage to earn for a living. Slowly the community has taken up
manufacture of iron household appliances and kitchenware. With the advance
of time and change in technology their products have no popularity but the
community people have no alternative but to depend upon their age-old
occupation with very meager income to live with. They are presently
engaged with the profession of blacksmith, carpentry etc. It was submitted
that they are not educated and most of them are below poverty line. It was
further stated that Sikligar community was recognized as backward class in
the states of Maharastra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab.
Sri S. Tagore Singh, representing the case on behalf of Gurudwara
SriGuru Singh Sabha, Miryalguda, Nalgonda district, has submitted
representation stating that Sikligar community has distinct language, with no
script. They depend upon doing iron works for their livelihood. They neither
possess agricultural land nor even houses and whole community is living
below poverty line. Sangat Singh Kandhari, Gurunanak colony, Vijayawada
also submitted a similar representation for the inclusion of Sikligar community
in the B.C.list. It was stated that the term Sikligar by Persian dialect would
mean “metal burnisher”. They were the best army men and during the days
- 49 -
of freedom struggle, they prepared and supplied arms and ammunition for
the revolutionaries. The British chased and persecuted them as such they
moved from place to place and they are therefore called wandering
blacksmiths. They are living below poverty line and they are recognized in
several states and included in the list of backward classes. They are notified
tribe in Maharastra and backward class in Karnataka. It was stated that their
population is approximately 5000. They seldom come to Gurudwara due to
inferiority complex. Child labour is common and all members of the family
including women-folk work for their livelihood. They do not possess
agricultural land or houses. They erect temporary huts on vacant lands to do
their daily work and once the demand dies in that locality they, move to a
new place to attend to the same work. Their children do not go to school.
They are socially, educationally, economically and occupationally most
backward and hence it was argued that they might be included in the list of
backward classes. The President of the Association has enclosed testimonials
of different states including Sikligars as B.Cs. Similar representations were
submitted by Sri Guru Nanak co-operative Building Society Limited,
Vijayawada and Sri Manjeet Singh of Karimnagar.
On receipt of the said representations the commission in its meeting
held on 22-03-2006 resolved to call for representations, objections and
suggestions for inclusion of Sikligar Community in the B.C. list. The caste
representatives made similar representations in the public hearing, which was
held on 25-05-2006. Sri S. Bahadur Singh and Sri. S. Shanth Singh from
Chityala, Nalgonda district appeared before the commission and they
represented the very same facts stated above and pleaded for inclusion of
Sikligar Caste in the B.C list
Subsequently, the commission deputed survey team headed by the Dy.
Director (Statistics) to conduct household sample survey and collected
information on the Socio, Educational and Economic aspects for the
- 50 -
community to assess the backwardness of the caste. The survey results are
as follows.
Survey Results
1. Introduction:
The survey team of the Commission conducted Local enquiries and
Investigations including household sample survey during July & August 2007
in Ranga Reddy, Adilabad, Nalgonda and Hyderabad Districts. The household
sample survey covered 91 Households of this community. The traditional
occupation of this community is manufacture of Iron and Tin metal articles
i.e., utensils like Buckets, Kadai, Tavva, Mukudu etc.,
2. Social Status:
All the 91 Households are comprising 479 persons of which (9.9%) are
living in Rural areas and (90.1%) of them live in Urban areas. The average
household size is 5.3 persons. The sex ratio of this community is 109 females
per 100 males whereas for age group 0-14 years, it is 117 Females per 100
Males.
Results on Traditional Occupation (T.O.)
Item Remarks No of Households
Percentage
a) Traditional occupation in practice
Yes No
70 21
76.9 23.1
b) Self perception of the caste people on Traditional Occupation
Superior Inferior Normal
0 79 12
0.0 86.8 13.2
c) T.O treated by others
Superior Inferior Normal
0 79 12
0.0 86.8 13.2
d) Social discrimination
Yes No Normal
74 1 16
81.3 1.1 17.6
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About 77% of households are engaged in their traditional occupation,
about 87% of households expressed their occupation as inferior and the same
percentage of households revealed that their occupation is treated as inferior
by others. In view of the above, about 81% of households reported that they
are socially discriminated in their living areas.
3. Educational Status:
a) Sex wise literates and illiterates:
S. No Description Male Female Total
1 Literates No %
136 73.1
112 55.1
248 63.7
2 Illiterates No %
50 26.9
91 44.8
141 36.3
The literacy rate of the community among male is 73.1, female 55.1
and total 63.7 against the state literacy rate 70.32, 50.43 and 60.47
respectively.
b) Educational level completed (7 years & above)
Percentage over S. No Class Passed No. of persons
Population Literates
1 Below 5th 116 29.8 46.8
2 5th class 50 12.9 20.2
3 7th class 46 11.8 18.5
4 10th class 25 6.4 10.1
5 Inter 8 2.0 3.2
6 Degree 2 0.5 0.8
7 P.Gr. 0 0.0 0.0
8 Pro.Tech. 1 0.3 0.4
All Classes 248 63.7 100.0
Though, the literacy rate of the community is slightly above the state
rate, upto Matriculation passed persons are about 61% over population or
95.6% over literates and the post Matriculation passed are only 2.8% or
4.4% over literates.
- 52 -
c) Literates and dropouts (7 years and above):
S. No Age Group
Population Total Literates
Percentage of Literates
Percent of dropouts
Among Age Group
Over Total Pop.
Drop outs from Edn.
Over Persons
Over Literates
1 7-14 131 120 91.6 30.8 14 10.7 11.7
2 15-24 89 71 79.8 18.3 52 58.4 73.2
3 25-39 99 32 32.3 8.2 32 32.3 100.0
4 40-59 51 23 45.1 5.9 23 45.1 100.0
5 60+ 19 2 10.5 0.5 2 10.5 100.0
All 389 248 63.8 63.8 123 31.6 49.6
It is seen from the table that about 50% of dropouts over literates or
31.6% over persons are recorded. Dropouts in the age group 7-14 years are
10.7% over persons or 11.7% over literates, which should be a ‘nil’ dropout
rate for the reason of compulsory education for that age. The dropout rate for
the age group.15-24 is rather high with 58.4% over population or 73.2% over
literates.
d) Drop-outs from School/College studies with reasons (All-ages)
S. No Reason for Dropouts No. of persons
Dropout Rate
Percentage. over pop.
1 Failed 6 4.9 1.3
2 Education not required 4 3.3 0.8
3 Marriage 16 13.0 3.3
4 To work 46 37.4 9.6
5 Poverty 32 26.0 6.7
6 Health & others 19 15.4 4.0
All 123 100.0 25.7
The strongest reason of dropouts registered is “to work” with 37.4%
followed by” Poverty”‘with 26.0% and ‘marriage’ with 13.0%. This indicates
that poverty has driven over 63.4% of dropouts to earn for a living.
- 53 -
4. Employment Status:
The surveyed population of Sikligar community is divided into Working
group and Non Working group basing on their economic activity. The Working
group of people constitutes Daily wage earners, Self-employed, Regular
salaried and part-time workers while the Non-Working group constitute
children, students, aged and ailing, retired, unemployed and housewives.
a) Working and Non-Working groups of people by sex is as follows.
Workers Non-Workers
Male Female Total Male Female Total
Number 116 11 127 115 237 352
Percentage Over total
50.2 4.4 26.5 49.8 95.6 73.5
It is noticed that the Male workers constitute 50.2% while the Female
with 4.4% and the total workers with 26% as against the state work
participation rates of 56.23%, 35.11%, 45.80% of that order. The work
participation rate of the community is far below the state figures especially
the female work participation, which is 8 times below the state female work
rate. The reason could be due to their dependency on traditional occupation
which has no demand in the contemporary society. The non-workers
constitute a diabolic 73.5% to depend on 26.5% workforce. The phenomenon
does show that the community is living with absolute poverty.
- 54 -
b) Statement showing Economic activity among working people.
S. No
Economic activity
Sex
Number
Percent to Total pop.
Percent to Workers- population
1
Daily wage in Agri.
Male Female Total
0 1 1
0.0 0.4 0.2
0.0 9.1 0.8
2
Daily wage in Non Agri.
Male Female Total
8 1 9
3.5 0.4 1.9
6.9 9.1 7.1
3
Self employed in Agri
Male Female Total
0 0 0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
4
Self employed in Non-Agri
Male Female Total
100 7 107
43.3 2.8 22.3
86.2 63.6 84.2
5
Regular salaried in Govt.
Male Female Total
2 0 2
0.9 0.0 0.4
1.7 0.0 1.6
6
Regular salaried in Pvt.
Male Female Total
5 1 6
2.2 0.4 1.3
4.3 9.1 4.7
7
Part time workers
Male Female Total
1 1 2
0.4 0.4 0.4
0.9 9.1 1.6
Grand Total 127 26.5 100.0
About 84% of workers over working population or 22.3% over total
population are engaged as self-employed in non-agriculture activity i.e., their
traditional occupation. Only 6.0% over workers or 1.75% over population is
employed as regular salaried either in Govt. or in Private Establishments. This
shows contemporary educational and economic backwardness of the
community.
- 55 -
5. Economic status:
Description No.of
Households Percentage over hhs.
a) Possessing Agrl. Land 0 0.0
b) Type of House (residing)
i) Pucca ii) Semi pucca
iii) Kutcha/Huts
18 45 28
19.8 49.5 30.8
c) Having Ration cards:
i) White ii) Pink
iii) No card
88 2 1
96.7 2.2 1.1
d) Facilities/Amenities: i) Phone – Having connected Not having Phone
17 74
18.7 81.3
ii) Drinking water in the – Yes premises of households No
41 50
45.1 55.0
iii) Electricity connection Yes No
70 21
76.9 23.1
iv) Toilet within the premises Yes No
31 60
34.1 65.9
e) Percapita income ... Per Annum Rs. 4,950/-
f) Avg. Land holding … 0.0 acres
Agricultural activity is not known to this community as most of them
are living in urban areas and migrate from one place to another in search of
work. Hence, no agricultural land holding is recorded. About 80.3% of
households are living in Semi pucca and Kutcha/ hut dwellings. About 96.7%
households are in possession of white ration cards (below poverty line) 81.3%
of households without land phone or cell phone connectivity, which is a
necessity as their occupation demand the same for occupational business.
55% of households without drinking water facility within premises, 23.1%
households without electricity connected and about 66% of households
without individual sanitary latrines.
The per capita income of the community is just Rs.4,950/- against
the state per capita income of Rs.25,695/- which is just 19% of the state
average.
- 56 -
Sikligars are descendents of Sikh infantry migrated in the year 1830 to
Nizam principality to assist the government in the collection of land revenue.
With the changes of history they took to their traditional occupation in a
different way of making household appliances made of iron and tin metals.
They move from place to place in search of demand for their manufactured
goods. Thus they are nomadic in rural areas and semi nomadic in urban
areas. The commission studied their social and economic conditions in
different parts of A.P. as also during the course of public sittings and
hearings. Sikligar are exclusively engaged in manufacture and sale of iron
domestic utensils and they lead a secluded life in most unhygienic conditions.
The nature of their occupation would require them to move from place to
place and expose to sun and rain with poor returns and they are looked down
by other communities. Due to nomadic character it becomes impossible for
their children to adapt to school going. Their share of Public /Private
Employment is very negligible. The population as claimed by the
representatives is only 5000.
The national Commission for Backward Classes recognized Saikalgar
caste as backward and included in the list of Other Backward Classes.
After careful consideration on the oral and the written representations
of the community by their representationists supported by the sample survey
the A.P. Commission for BCs has come to the conclusion that Sikligar
/Saikalgar community is indeed socially, educationally and economically a
backward community and they are fit to be included in the list of backward
classes and entitled to the benefits envisaged under Articles 15 (4) and 16 (4)
of the constitution of India. For the reasons stated above, considering the
unclean profession and the poor condition of the people and leading nomadic
way of life, Sikligar/Saikalgar community is fit to be included in the list of
Backward Classes under Group – A at Serial No. 51.
- 57 -
(7) SONDI / SUNDI
Sri Kamsu Vasudeva Rao, General Secretary, A.P. Sondi / Sundi caste
welfare Association, Hyderabad submitted representation on 31-3-1994 to the
then Chairman, A.P. Commission for Backward Classes to include Sondi /
Sundi caste in the list of backward classes. It was represented that Sondi /
Sundi caste people were residing in the erstwhile Ganjam District of Orissa.
Their mother tongue is Oriya and they speak Telugu. They are residing in
Hillocks and they migrated from Ganjam to Srikakulam and Vizianagaram.
They are hill tribes and Non-vegetarian. They are socially and educationally
backward. They belong to linguistic minority. One of their customs is widow
remarriages. The estimated population then was about 15,673. They are
educationally backward. Most of them are agricultural coolies. There are only
1009 literates in their community. They are residing in limited areas with less
population. Their community was recognized as aboriginal tribes in
Vishakapatnam and Narsipatnam Agency Areas. Anantaraman Commission did
not include this caste as they could not make representation and they have
been making request since then. Government of A.P. recognized them as
aboriginal tribes. The Mandal commission included this caste in the list of
Other Backward Classes and hence they may be included in the list of
Backward Classes of A.P.
Dr. S. Chitti Babu, president and K. Dhilleswar Rao, General Secretary
of Andhra Pradesh Sondi / Sundi caste Welfare society from Srikakulam also
represented that the Sondi / Sundi caste was included in the Mandal list of
A.P. Sri M. Nooka Raju, the Palasa Cashew Manufacturers Association and P.
Suryanarayana, President, Lions club of Palasa and Kasibugga also submitted
representations. Sri D. Atchuta Ramayya Ex-MLA of Ichapuram and others
also requested for inclusion of the caste. Sri N. Balaji and others from
Vishakapatnam and N. Suryanarayana and others from Kanchili and Sompeta
mandals also submitted their representations. L.N. Panigrahi, president, Oriya
Minorities Welfare Society also submitted representation for inclusion.
- 58 -
On receipt of their representations, a notification dated 31/3/2006 was
issued which was published in the Gazette dated 13/04/2006 and
subsequently, public hearing was held on 22/05/2006. Sri K. Dilleshwar Rao,
General Secretary, Dr. S. Chitti Babu, U. Ganapati Rao, K. Vasudeva Rao,
Krishna Rao and others appeared before the commission and represented
that Sondi / Sundi caste people were recognized as a backward class in the
composite state of Madras and subsequently, after formation of Andhra
Pradesh, the caste was not included in the list of Backward Classes and
treated as forward caste. Most of the people are eking out their livelihood by
doing coolie work and their traditional occupation is distillation of illicit arrack.
They are socially and educationally backward and requested the commission
to recommend their caste for inclusion in the list of backward classes.
The commission deputed a survey team headed by Deputy Director,
statistics and they formulated a format and collected the data. They
conducted door-to-door household sample survey and the particulars
collected are as follows.
Survey Results
1. Introduction:
The survey team of the Commission conducted Local enquiries and
Investigations including household sample survey during January & March
2007 in Srikakulam & Vishakapatnam districts. The household sample survey
covered 92 Households of the community. The traditional occupation of this
community is stated to be Manufacture & Sale of illicit arrack. Now they are
employed as agricultural coolies.
2. Social Status:
All the 92 Households comprising 337 persons of which 93.5% are
living in rural areas and 6.5% in urban areas. The household size of the
community is 3.7 (persons). The sex ratio 116 Females per 100 Males and for
the age group up to 14 years. The ratio is 120 Females per 100 Males.
- 59 -
Results On Traditional Occupation (T.O.)
Item Remarks No of Households
Percentage
a) Traditional occupation in practice
Yes No
1 91
1.1 98.9
b) Self perception of the caste people on Traditional Occupation
Superior Inferior Normal
0 46 46
0.0 50.0 50.0
c) T.O treated by others Superior Inferior Normal
0 47 45
0.0 51.1 48.9
d) Social discrimination Yes No Normal
45 0 47
48.9 0.0 51.1
From the above table it is noticed that only one household is now
doing their traditional Occupation i.e., manufacture / sale of country liquor.
About 50% of households reported that they feel inferior by their traditional
Occupation, about 51% of households have felt that they are treated inferior
by others and about 49% of households reported that they have been socially
discriminated in their neighbourhood.
3. Educational Status:
a) Literates and illiterates by sex (7 years & above)
S. No Description Male Female Total
1 Literates No %
102 73.9
88 52.7
190 62.3
2 Illiterates No %
36 26.1
79 47.3
115 37.7
The literacy rate of the community among Male is 73.9%, Female is
52.7% and total is 62.3% as against the state literacy rates of 70.32%,
50.43% and 60.47% respectively. The literacy of the community is a little
above the state literacy.
- 60 -
c) Educational level completed (7 years & above)
Percentage over S. No Class Passed No. of persons
Population Literates
1 Below 5th 43 14.1 22.6
2 5th class 63 20.7 33.2
3 7th class 56 18.4 29.5
4 10th class 23 7.5 12.1
5 Inter 4 1.3 2.1
6 Degree 0 0.0 0.0
7 P.Gr. 0 0.0 0.0
8. Pro.Tech. 1 0.3 0.5
All Classes 190 62.3 100.0
Though the literacy rate of the community is found just a little over the
state literacy level, about 60.7% of persons passed up to 10th class and a
negligible 1.6% passed Intermediate and above. No Graduate and Post-
Graduate student is found in the survey of the Community.
d) Literates and dropouts by age group (7 years and above):
S. No Age Group
Population Total Literates
Percentage of Literates
Drop outs
Percent of dropouts
Among Age Group
Over Total Pop.
Over Persons
Over Literates
1 7-14 59 56 94.9 18.4 33 56.9 58.9
2 15-24 67 54 80.6 17.7 52 77.6 96.3
3 25-39 80 40 50.0 13.1 40 50.0 100.0
4 40-59 75 36 48.0 11.8 34 45.3 94.4
5 60+ 25 4 16.0 1.3 4 16.0 100.0
All 305 190 62.3 62.3 163 53.4 85.8
The total dropouts from education of the community are 53.4% over
persons or 85.8% over literates. Further the dropouts from the age group
7-14 years are 56.9% over persons or 58.9% over literates which should
otherwise be zero for the Government has provided cost free education as
also compulsory enrolment. The dropouts in the age group of 15-24 are
crucial for study. This is the age group in which the potentiality of
employment in a community can be calculated. The dropout rate is rather
- 61 -
high with 77.6% over persons and 96.3 over literates which show that there
is no progress in education of the community after 10th class. Naturally their
share of employment in public / private sector are almost nil or negligible.
d) Drop-outs from School / College studies with reasons (All-ages)
S. No Reason for Dropouts No. of persons
Dropout Rate
Percentage. over pop.
1 Failed 10 5.7 2.9
2 Education not required 45 25.9 13.4
3 Marriage 17 9.8 5.0
4 To work 6 3.4 1.8
5 Poverty 93 53.4 27.6
6 Health & others 3 1.7 0.9
All 174 100.0 51.6
About 53% of dropouts due to ‘Poverty’ as a reason and followed by
26% ‘Education not required’ and ‘marriage’ with 10% as reason are noticed.
Thus 56.8% dropouts are due to augmentation of income to the family which
is a symptom of economic backwardness.
4. Employment Status:
The entire surveyed population of Sondi / Sundi community basing on
their economic activity is divided into Working and Non Working groups. The
Working group of people consisting of Daily wage earners, Self-employed,
Regular salaried and part-time workers. The Non-Working group of people
consisting of children, students, aged, retired, ill health, unemployed, and
housewives.
a) Working and Non-Working groups of people by sex is as follows.
Workers Non-Workers
Male Female Total Male Female Total
Number 92 75 167 64 106 170
Percentage Over total
59.0 41.4 49.5 41.0 58.6 50.5
- 62 -
It is noticed that the percentage of Male workers constitute 59.0%
while that of Female 41.4% and the total workers constitute 49.5% as against
the state work participation rates of 56.23%,35.11%, 45.80% in that order.
The work participation rate of the community is found just above the state
work participation rate. This phenomenon does show that the community is in
abstract poverty whereby stress is seen on every family made to work for a
living.
b) Statement showing Economic activity among working people.
S. No
Economic activity
Sex
Number
Percent to Total pop.
Percent to Workers- population
1
Daily wage in Agri.
Male Female Total
44 37 81
28.2 20.4 24.0
47.8 49.3 48.5
2
Daily wage in Non Agri.
Male Female Total
16 5 21
10.3 2.8 6.2
17.4 6.7 12.6
3
Self employed in Agri
Male Female Total
3 1 4
1.9 0.6 1.2
3.3 1.3 2.4
4
Self employed in Non-Agri
Male Female Total
25 14 39
16.0 7.7 11.6
27.2 18.7 23.3
5
Regular salaried in Govt.
Male Female Total
0 0 0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
6
Regular salaried in Pvt.
Male Female Total
4 2 6
2.6 1.1 1.8
4.3 2.7 3.6
7
Part time workers
Male Female Total
0 16 16
0.0 8.8 4.7
0.0 21.3 9.6
Grand Total 167 49.5 100.0
About 30.2% of population are workers and 61.1% of workers are
engaged as daily wage earners in Agriculture and Non - Agriculture sectors
for their livelihood. There is no Government employee recorded in the survey.
However it is noticed that 1.8% of workers over all population or 3.6% of
workers are Regular Salaried in private sector. Though they are salaried
- 63 -
employees, they may be in the last grade due to their obvious educational
status. About 11.6% over all population or 23.3% of workers are self
employed in non agricultural activities which show that the community people
are doing small business with an overall percapita income of Rs. 3,204 per
annum. This community is indeed reeling under multi dimensionality of
poverty.
5. Economic status:
Description No. of
Households
Percentage over hhs.
a) Possessing Agrl. Land 7 0.08
b) Type of House (residing)
i) Pucca ii) Semi pucca
iii) Kutcha/Hutss
14 29 49
15.2 31.5 53.3
c) Having Ration cards:
i) White ii) Pink
iii) No card
88 0 4
95.7 0.0 4.3
d) Facilities/Amenities: i) Phone – Having connected Not having Phone
4 88
4.3 95.7
ii) Drinking water in the – Yes premises of households No
5 87
5.4 94.6
iii) Electricity connection Yes No
52 40
56.5 43.5
iv) Toilet within the premises Yes No
12 80
13.0 87.0
e) Percapita income Rs 3,204/-Per Annum
f) Avg. Land holding 0.08 acres.
About 84.8% of households of the community are living in semi pucca
/ Kutcha houses and about 96% of households are having white ration cards.
About 96% of households have no telephone or cell phone connectivity and
about 95% of households are without drinking water with in their premises.
About 44% of households without electricity connected as against state
- 64 -
average 77.75% and about 87% of households having no individual sanitary
latrines.
The average land holding of the community is 0.08 Acres and the per
capita income of the community is just Rs 3,204/- against the state per capita
income Rs 25,695/-.
Sondhi is an Oriya speaking caste of Toddy sellers found mostly in
Srikakulam district. The name Sondi / Sundi has its origin in the Sanskrit word
shaundik, meaning spirit-seller. They also distil arrack. Remarriage is
permissible for male as well as female divorcees, widowers and widows. The
Sondi / Sundi are mainly a landowning community and practice settled
cultivation. Many of them are engaged in their traditional occupation of
distilling liquor. They are spread in the North Eastern part of the state
comprising Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Vishakapatnam districts. The
Mandal Commission recognized this caste as a Backward Class and included in
the list of Other Backward Classes of Andhra Pradesh. The State of Orissa
also recognized this caste as backward and included in the list of Backward
Classes. They are also recognized as aboriginal tribes in Vishakapatnam and
Narsipatnam Agency Areas. The Commission toured Srikakulam, Vizianagaram
and Vishakapatnam districts personally where the Sondi / Sundi people are
residing to assess their socio-economic conditions. The survey results did
reveal that though the literacy rate is high just on par with State average. The
post matriculates are very less. The school / college dropout rate is high. It is
observed that they are looked down by society around them. Most of them
live in semi-pucca and Kutcha huts and 96% possess white ration cards. Most
of them live in unhygienic conditions. Most of them are engaged as daily
wage earners in agriculture and non agriculture sector. The salaried persons
are insignificant. The percapita income is very low when compared to the
state percapita income. Their living conditions are pathetic and they do not
have basic amenities. They do not have any political representations in their
community. Most of them are below poverty line. They are not at all
- 65 -
represented in Government services as per survey. The estimated population
is about 32,900
The Commission after due deliberations relying on the observations of
Thurston and “People of India Series”, the household sample survey and the
personal inspection came to the conclusion that Sondi / Sundi caste is
socially and educationally backward and fit to be included in the list of
Backward Classes for the purpose of Articles 15 (4) and 16 (4) of the
Constitution of India and hence we recommend the Government to include
this caste under Group – D at S. No.42 in the list of Backward Classes.
- 66 -
(8) VARALA
Sri K. R. Dasharatha Rao, Convenor, Andhra Pradesh Varala, Thogra
Balija, Bholla Sangham submitted representation dated 25/06/1994 that their
caste people in Telangana area are called as “Varala”. They migrated from
northern parts to Andhra Pradesh. Some people are engaged in preparation of
colours from the bark of Thogara tree and dying work. Some are engaged as
agricultural labourers. They are socially and educationally backward and
hence they may be included in the list of Backward Classes. Pavushetty
Vaikuntam, Parakal, Warangal District also represented to the commission for
inclusion. Sri G.S Narayana of Warangal also submitted his representation for
inclusion in the list of backward classes. Varala community people are residing
in Telangana, Rayalaseema and coastal districts where they are called Thogra
Balija and in Telangana areas they are called Varala & Rangregi. Sri S.
Satyanarayana, President, Varala Yuvajana Sangham, also represented for
inclusion. Sri Papeshetty Surender of Hasanparthi and B. Nagaraju of
Myalavaram of Krishna district and others represented before the commission.
On receipt of the above representations the commission issued
notification dated 31-03-2006 calling for representations, objections and
suggestions and the caste people submitted similar representations.
Subsequently public hearing was conducted on 22-05-2006 on which date
P.Vaikuntam, Koppula Ramulu, Jayaprakash, D.Mandaiah, K.Anandhaiah,
B.Srinivas, S.Ventakaramarao, B.Bhumaiah, and others appeared before the
commission and contended that Varala community people are socially and
educationally backward and prayed for inclusion in the list of backward class.
As per the representation dated 04/05/2006, the present population of this
caste is about 2,00,451.
The commission deputed survey team headed by Deputy Director
Statistics. The household sample survey was conducted and the survey results
are as follows.
- 67 -
Survey Results
1. Introduction:
The survey team of the Commission conducted Local enquiries and
Investigations including sample household survey during June, 2007 in
Warangal and Karimnagar districts. The sample household survey covered 84
Households of this community. The traditional occupation of this community
is stated as dying and agricultural labour.
2. Social Status:
The survey took a sample size of 84 Households comprising of 329
persons of which 57% are living in rural areas and the rest 43% are living in
urban areas.
Results on Traditional Occupation (T.O.)
Item Remarks No of Households
Percentage
a) Traditional occupation in practice
Yes No
8 76
9.5 90.5
b) Feeling of the caste people on Traditional Occupation
Superior Inferior Normal
0 39 45
0.0 46.4 53.6
c) T.O treated by others Superior Inferior Normal
0 36 48
0.0 42.9 57.1
d) Social discrimination Yes No Normal
30 7 47
35.7 8.3 56.0
As can be seen in the above table, only 10% of the households are still
living on their traditional occupation. About 46.4% households have stated
that their traditional occupation is inferior and 42.9% have reported that
others treat their occupation as inferior. As many as 35.7% have reported
that they are socially discriminated in their neighborhood.
- 68 -
3. Educational Status:
a) Literates and illiterates by Sex:
S. No Description Male Female Total
1 Literates No %
130 81.8
77 55.0
207 69.2
2 Illiterates No %
29 18.2
63 45.0
92 30.8
Male literacy of the Community is 82% while that of female is 55% and
total is 69% as against the state literacy rates of 70.32%, 50.43% and
60.47% respectively. The literacy rate of the Community is recorded just
above the state literacy rates.
e) Educational level completed (7 years & above)
Percentage over S. No Class Passed No. of persons Population Literates
1 Below 5th 49 16.4 23.7
2 5th class 32 10.7 15.4
3 7th class 54 18.1 26.1
4 10th class 46 15.4 22.2
5 Inter 18 6.0 8.7
6 Degree 7 2.3 3.4
7 P.Gr. 1 0.3 0.5
8. Pro.Tech. 0 0.0 0.0
All Classes 207 69.2 100.0
The literates of the Community upto Matriculation passed are 60.6%
over population or 87.4% over literates but the Post Matriculation passed are
only 8.6% over population or 12.6% over literates. It is recorded in the
survey that there is only one person passed Post-Graduation from the
community. The Post Matriculation passed are very few in the community
whereby their share in public / private sector employment in salaried class
naturally be negligible.
- 69 -
c) Literates and dropouts (7 years and above):
S. No Age Group
Population Total Literates
Percentage of Literates
Drop outs
Percent of dropouts
Among Age Group
Over Total Pop.
Over Persons
Over Literates
1 7-14 52 51 98.1 17.1 2 3.8 3.9
2 15-24 73 69 94.5 23.1 44 60.3 63.8
3 25-39 83 57 68.7 19.1 55 66.3 96.5
4 40-59 63 22 34.9 7.4 21 33.3 95.5
5 60+ 28 8 28.6 2.7 8 28.6 100.0
All 299 207 69.2 69.2 130 43.5 62.8
It is noticed from the above table that about 44% dropouts over
population or 63% dropouts over literates of the Community are recorded.
However the dropouts from education in the age-group 7-14 years are
noticed about 4% over persons and same percentage over literates. The
dropout rate in the age group of 15-24 is high with 60.3% over persons or
63.8% over literates. This phenomenon indicates that the community has little
scope for employment in public / private sector as salaried class.
d) Drop-outs from School/College studies with reasons (All-ages)
S. No Reason for Dropouts No. of persons
Dropout Rate
Percentage. over pop.
1 Failed 6 4.6 1.8
2 Education not required
1 0.8 0.3
3 Marriage 18 13.8 5.5
4 To work 44 33.8 13.4
5 Poverty 53 40.8 16.1
6 Health & others 8 6.2 2.4
All 130 100.0 39.5
As can be seen in the above table, the dropouts for the reasons “to
work” and “poverty” put together accounts for 74.6% which shows that due
to lack of financial support huge dropout rate is recorded which itself is a
symptom of accurate economic backwardness of this community.
- 70 -
4. Employment Status:
The entire surveyed population of “Varala” community basing on their
economic activity is divided into Working and Non Working groups. The
Working group is consisting of Daily wage earners, Self-employed, Regular
salaried and part-time workers while the Non-Working group of people
consisting of children, students, aged, retired, ill health, unemployed and
housewives.
a) Working and Non-Working groups of people by sex is as follows.
Workers Non-Workers
Male Female Total Male Female Total
Number 100 52 152 77 100 177
Percentage Over total
56.5 34.2 46.2 43.5 65.8 53.8
It is noticed that the Male workers constitute 56.5% whereas Female
workers is 34.2% and the total workers is 46.2% as against the state work
participation rates of 56.23%, 35.11% and 45.80% in that order. On
comparison it can be noticed that the percentages are slightly below the state
work participation rates.
- 71 -
b) Statement showing Economic activity among working people.
S. No Economic activity Sex Number Percent to
Total pop.
Percent to
Workers-
population
1 Daily wage in Agri. Male
Female
Total
39
32
71
22.0
21.0
21.6
39.0
61.5
46.7
2 Daily wage in Non Agri. Male
Female
Total
18
3
21
10.2
2.0
6.4
18.0
5.8
13.8
3 Self employed in Agri Male
Female
Total
4
0
4
2.3
0.0
1.2
4.0
0.0
2.6
4 Self employed in Non-Agri Male
Female
Total
21
7
28
12.0
4.6
8.5
21.0
13.5
18.4
5 Regular salaried in Govt. Male
Female
Total
7
0
7
3.9
0.0
2.1
7.0
0.0
4.6
6 Regular salaried in Pvt. Male
Female
Total
11
0
11
6.2
0.0
3.3
11.0
0.0
7.3
7 Part time workers Male
Female
Total
0
10
10
0.0
6.6
3.0
0.0
19.2
6.6
Grand Total 152 46.2 100.0
From the above table it is seen that the workers of the Community are
engaged in all the above economic activities for their livelihood. About 28% of
workers over population or 61% over workers are engaged in daily wage
- 72 -
earners in Agriculture and Non-Agriculture. But only 2% over population or
5% over workers are employed in Govt. services and 3% over population or
7% over workers are employed in Private sector as regular salaried. This is
due to reason that the community is educationally backward which ultimately
paved for economic backwardness.
5. Economic status:
Description No. of
Households
Percentage over hhs.
a) Possessing Agrl. Land 23 27.4
b) Type of House (residing)
i) Pucca
ii) Semi pucca
iii) Kutcha/Huts
35
40
9
41.7
47.6
10.7
c) Having Ration cards:
i) White
ii) Pink
iii) No card
71
10
3
84.5
11.9
3.6
d) Facilities/Amenities:
i) Phone – Having connected
Not having Phone
15
69
17.9
82.1
ii) Drinking water in the – Yes
premises of households No
52
32
61.9
38.1
iii) Electricity connection Yes
No
78
6
92.8
7.2
iv) Toilet within the premises Yes
No
46
38
54.8
45.2
v) Percapita income = … Per Annum
vi) Avg. Land holding = … acres.
- 73 -
Though 27% of households are in possession of Agriculture land, the
average land holding size of the Community is a meager 0.32 Acres. About
58.3% of households live in semi pucca / kutcha houses, about 85% of
households are having white ration cards, about 82% of households are not
having land telephone / cell phone connectivity, about 38% of households are
without drinking water provision within their premises, about 45% of
households are without individual sanitary latrines. The per capita income of
the Community is recorded very low at Rs. 7860 against the state per capita
income of Rs. 25695
An association called Andhra Pradesh Varala, Thogra Balija and Bholla
Sangham, Hyderabad sought for recognizing Varala, Thogra Balija and Bholla
as backward classes and to include them in the said list. We have carefully
examined all the oral and written representations. The contention of the
Sangham is that these castes are like Munnur Kapu, Pathi Balija and Balija
Families.
The word Varala in Telugu would mean that a person works for a week
in one family and thereafter he will work with another family and these
people will be working on weekly basis with different families. Long ago they
migrated to Nizam state and they have been eking out their livelihood and
working on weekly basis with the landlords. Most of them are employed as
agricultural coolies and attending to the domestic needs. The Commission
observed that all people residing in Telangana region are uneducated,
economically poor and socially backward. The survey conducted by this
Commission would reveal that they are socially and educationally backward.
Further they are not adequately represented in Government services. They
are also economically poor. Most of them live in semi pucca / kutcha houses
possessing white ration cards without basic amenities. They are living in
unhygienic conditions. Most of them are daily wage earners and their
percapita income is very low when compared to the state per capita income.
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They are not having political representation also. Most of them are living
below poverty line.
The Commission after due deliberations relying on the survey reports
personal inspection, oral and written representations of the representationists
come to the conclusion that Varala community people living in Telangana
areas are socially and educationally backward and fit to be included in the list
of Backward Classes. The persons who are living in Rayalaseema and coastal
areas who are called as Thogra Balija and Bholla have to be dealt with
separately at a later point of time. The Mandal Commission also recognized
Varala is a backward community and included in the list of Backward Classes
at S. No. 279.
On cumulative consideration of all the above factors, we come to the
conclusion that Varala community living in Telangana region are socially and
educationally backward and therefore we recommend to the Government to
include Varala caste / community to be included under Group – D at
S. No. 43 in the list of Backward Classes and the area of operation shall be
confined to Telangana region only.
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(9) SISTAKARANAM
A.P. Sistakarana Association by its President, Tumbali Srinivas Rao and
General Secretary A.V.Jagannath Rao Patnaik submitted memorandum dated
11-04-1994 to the then, Chairman, A.P. Commission for Backward Classes
representing that the Mandal commission was pleased to include
Sistakaranam community in the list of Backward Classes at S.No.247.
Sistakaranam community migrated from Orissa to Andhra Pradesh and the
said community is socially and educationally backward. Their total population
is about 1% of total population of the state and they are spread all over the
state. Majority of them are residing in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and
Vishakapatnam districts. They are called as Chittikaranam in all coastal
districts mainly in East & West Godavari and coastal districts and Krishna,
Guntur, Prakasham and Nellore districts. In Rayalaseema districts they are
called as Karanams. In the composite State of Madras this community was
included in the list of backward Classes and it continued till G.O.Ms. No. 1793
dated 23-09-1970 was issued. Since then Sistakaranam Association has been
submitting their representations for inclusion as their caste was omitted
erroneously. After the abolition of hereditary Village Officers Act, most of the
Sistakaranams are thrown on the roads with begging bowls and they could
not secure their livelihood. Some are working as agricultural labourers,
Pleaders’, Clerks, Account keepers and domestic servants etc. They do not
own lands or carry on business or trade. They are economically backward and
they are living below poverty line. They live in Kutcha houses, mostly rented.
They are not adequately represented in Government jobs. They are not
politically represented. Since they are socially, economically, educationally and
politically backward they may be included in the list of backward classes.
Srikakulam District Sistakaranam Association represented by its
president, Sri B.V. Narasimha Rao and Gen. Secretary, K. Sangameswara Rao
have also submitted the memorandum dated 01-05-1994. Tekkali Mandal
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Sistakaranam Association, Tekkali represented by its president, Sri N. Tirupati
Das and Secretary M. Nagesh Kumar submitted their memorandum dated
02-05-1994. Amadalavalasa Taluk Sistakaranam Association, Amadalavalasa,
Ichapuram Sistakaranam Association, Ichapuram and others sent similar
representations for inclusion. Vishakapatnam City Sistakarana Assocaition,
Vishakapatnam also submitted a memorandum dated 14-05-1994. Dr. K.V.R.
Chowdary, the then Member of Parliament, Rajahmundary constituency also
forwarded their representations.
After the Commission was reconstituted a notification dated
31/03/2006 was issued which was published in A.P. Gazette dated
13/04/2006 calling for representations, objections and suggestions and the
caste representatives submitted their representations. Subsequently, the
Commission held public hearing on 22/05/2006. At the time of public hearing
Sri B. Kalyanaram, President, and A.V. Jagannath Rao, Gen. Secretary,
Vishaka District Sistakaranam Association, Vishakapatnam, K.Ramachandra
Murthy, V.B. Prasad Patnaik, Srikakulam, S. Murali Bhagvan, Vizianagaram,
and B. Srirama Murthy of Vizianagaram and others appeared before the
Commission and pleaded for inclusion of the said caste.
The Commission deputed a survey team to conduct household sample
survey to assess the social, educational, economic and political conditions of
the people.
Survey Results
1. Introduction:
The survey team of the Commission conducted Local enquiries and
Investigations including sample household survey during January & March
2007 in Srikakulam, Vishakapatnam & Vizianagaram districts. The sample
Survey covered 65 House-holds of this community. The traditional occupation
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of this community is recorded as Karanalu or karanam in erstwhile revenue
system of the state.
2. Social Status:
The survey covered 65 Households comprising 251 persons, of which
32.3% are living in rural areas and the rest 67.7% live in urban areas, with a
household size 3.9 or 4 (persons). The sex ratio of the community is 113
Females per 100 Males; and for age group upto 14 years, the ratio is 96
females per 100 male children.
Results on Traditional Occupation (T.O.)
Item Remarks No of
Households Percentage
a) Traditional occupation in practice
Yes No
0 65
0.0 100.0
b) Self perception of the caste people on Traditional Occupation
Superior Inferior Normal
4 1 60
6.2 1.5 92.3
c) T.O treated by others Superior Inferior Normal
8 0 57
12.3 0.0 87.7
d) Social discrimination Yes No Normal
0 10 55
0.0 15.4 84.6
It is noticed that no household of the community is attending to their
traditional occupation as the present revenue system made karanams part of
work as obsolete. No social stigma such as social discrimination or being
looked down by others is noticed as the Karanams in the erstwhile fudal
village system were Government employees.
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3. Educational Status:
a) Literates and illiterates by Sex:(7 years & above)
S. No Description Male Female Total
1 Literates No %
94 85.5
99 78.6
193 81.8
2 Illiterates No %
16 14.5
27 21.4
43 18.2
The male literacy rate of the community is 85.5% while that of Females is
78.6% and both put together is 81.8% as against state literacy rate 70.32%,
50.43% and 60.47% respectively. The literacy rate of the community is
recorded just above the state literacy rate due to the fact that the
Sistakaranam community were scribes / maintainers of revenue records /
revenue collectors at the bottom rung of revenue administration. Naturally
they had to be good at education to hold such post at village revenue system.
b) Educational level completed (7 years & above)
Percentage over S. No
Class Passed
No. of persons Population Literates
1 Below 5th 19 8.1 9.9
2 5th class 40 17.0 20.7
3 7th class 48 20.3 24.9
4 10th class 51 21.6 26.4
5 Inter 18 7.6 9.3
6 Degree 14 5.9 7.3
7 P.Gr. 2 0.8 1.0
8. Pro.Tech. 1 0.4 0.5
All Classes 193 81.8 100.0
Among the literates of the community, upto Matriculation passed are
67% over population or 82% over literates. The balances of 14.7% or 18%
over literates are Post Matriculation passed. The percentage of post
matriculation passed comparatively less due to the reason that the
community could not provide higher education to their children as the total
community was retrenched from Government services during the tenure of
the Chief Ministership of Sri N.T.Rama Rao.
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c) Literates and dropouts (7 years and above):
Percentage of Literates
Percent of dropouts
S. No Age Group
Population Total
Literates Among Age Group
Over Total Pop.
Drop outs from Edn.
Over Persons
Over Literates
1 7-14 38 36 94.7 15.3 13 34.2 36.1
2 15-24 58 51 87.9 21.6 34 58.6 66.7
3 25-39 70 58 82.9 24.6 51 72.9 87.9
4 40-59 55 41 74.5 17.4 39 70.9 95.1
5 60+ 15 7 46.7 3.0 5 33.3 71.4
All 236 193 81.8 81.8 142 60.2 73.6
Among the literates of the community it is noticed that 60.0% of the
dropouts from education in over all population or 74% amongst literates. The
rate of dropouts is seen increasing with the age. The dropout rate in the age
group 7-14 is recorded at 34.2% over persons and 36.1% over literates which
is on par with other B.C. communities. So also the dropout rate in the age
group 15-24 with 58.6% over persons or 66.7% over literates. The reason for
this high dropout rate in the crucial age group15-24 may be due to
incapacitated position of the community due to sudden dislocation of their
economic position in the newly developed revenue reformation.
d) Drop-outs from School/College studies with reasons (All-ages)
S. No Reason for Dropouts No. of persons
Dropout Rate
Percentage. over pop.
1 Failed 11 7.4 4.4
2 Education not required
29 19.6 11.5
3 Marriage 23 15.5 9.2
4 To work 18 12.2 7.2
5 Poverty 62 41.9 24.7
6 Health & others 5 3.4 2.0
All 148 100.0 59.0
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From the above table it is noticed that 54% among the dropouts are
due to the reasons of ‘poverty’ and “to work” followed by “Education-not
required” with 19.6% and “Marriage” reason with 15.5%. Strange enough to
note that 19.6% have stated that “education is not required”. The community
once educationally forward is now in the oblivion of perception on the values
of education. This shows that they are educationally backward and naturally
followed by economic backwardness.
4. Employment Status:
The entire surveyed population of Sistakaranam community basing on
their economic activity is divided into Working and Non Working groups. The
Working group of people is consisting of Daily wage earners, Self-employed,
Regular salaried and part-time workers and the Non-Working group of people
consisting of children, students, aged, retired, ill health, unemployed and
housewives.
a) Working and Non-Working groups of people by sex is as follows. Workers Non-Workers
Item Male Female Total Male Female Total
Number 75 32 107 43 101 144
Percentage Over total
63.5 24.1 42.6 36.4 75.9 57.4
It is noticed that the percentage of Male workers constitute 63.5%,
while that of Female 24.1% and the total workers with 42.6% as against the
state work participation rates of 56.23%, 35.11%, 45.8% respectively. The
male work participation rate of the community is quite above the state work
participation rate but the rest are below state averages. The female work
participation is very below the state average for the reason that the
community is in transitional period from riches to rags as such the community
/ society does not allow the female to participate in menial works.
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b) Statement showing Economic activity among working people.
S. No
Economic activity
Sex
Number
Percent to Total pop.
Percent to Workers- population
1
Daily wage in Agri.
Male Female Total
7 4 11
5.9 3.0 4.4
9.3 12.5 10.3
2
Daily wage in Non Agri.
Male Female Total
20 8 28
17.0 6.0 11.1
26.7 25.0 26.2
3
Self employed in Agri
Male Female Total
0 0 0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
4
Self employed in Non-Agri
Male Female Total
24 5 29
20.3 3.8 11.5
32.0 15.6 27.1
5
Regular salaried in Govt.
Male Female Total
6 1 7
5.1 0.8 2.8
8.0 3.1 6.5
6
Regular salaried in Pvt.
Male Female Total
17 4 21
14.4 3.0 8.4
22.7 12.5 19.6
7
Part time workers
Male Female Total
1 10 11
0.8 7.5 4.4
1.3 31.3 10.3
Grand Total 107 42.6 100.0
The people of this community are engaged on all the above economic
activities for their livelihood except ‘Self employed in Agriculture’ activities. It
is found that 36% over working population are engaged as daily wage
earners in Agriculture and Non-Agriculture Sectors. About 3% of persons
employed as Govt. servants and 8% of persons employed in private sector as
regular salaried. This phenomenon shows that they are economically
backward on par with other backward class / communities.
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5. Economic status:
Description No. of
Households Percentage over hhs.
a) Possessing Agrl. Land 2 3.1
b) Type of House (residing)
i) Pucca ii) Semi pucca
iii) Kutcha/Huts
26 23 16
40.0 35.4 24.6
c) Having Ration cards:
i) White ii) Pink
iii) No card
51 7 7
78.5 10.8 10.8
d) Facilities/Amenities: i) Phone – Having connected Not having Phone
17 48
26.2 73.8
ii) Drinking water in the – Yes premises of households No
19 46
29.2 70.8
iii) Electricity connection Yes No
56 9
86.2 13.8
iv) Toilet within the premises Yes No
28 37
43.1 56.9
e) Percapita income Rs 8,881/-Per Annum
f) Avg. Land holding 0.02 acres.
About 60% of households are residing in semi pucca / kutcha (huts)
houses, about 78% of households are possessing white ration cards, about
74% of households are not having telephone or cell phone connectivity, about
71% of households are without drinking water connections within their
premises and about 57% of households are without individual sanitary
latrines. The community average landholding size is as low as 0.02 acres
which is on par with any Backward Classes community.
The per capita income of the community is Rs 8,881/- as against the
state per capita income of Rs 25,695/-.
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The Sistakaranam were traditionally engaged as Village Accountants,
in the north coastal districts. Their synonyms are Srishtakarnam, Karanalu
and Patnaiks. Sistra or Srishta means neat and clean, and Karnam means
‘accountant’. The Sista Karnam, though an accountant in a village by virtue of
his education, was generally the ultimate authority in the village,
appropriation to himself the title ‘patnaik’ as a community distinction. The
word Naik signifies a head of town or village. It is also said that these people
were originally the natives of Ganjam and Koraput districts of Orissa and
Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Vishakapatnam districts of coastal Andhra
Pradesh long before the formation of Orissa state. It was represented by
them that the approximate population of the community is 6,21,286. But as
per SEESCAP survey they are about 78,600.
With the abolition of the hereditary Village Officers Act these
community people are not engaged in their traditional occupation but they
are eking out their livelihood by employing themselves in petty jobs such as
agricultural coolies, working in Kirana shops, lorry cleaners, tailors, pleader
clerks, domestic servants, rickshaw pullers etc. The survey results would
reveal that though the literacy rate of the community is just above the State
literacy, there are not many post graduates or post matriculates and the
dropout rate is also high and thus they are educationally backward. They are
engaged as daily wage earners in agriculture and non agriculture sectors.
Their participation in Government jobs is very negligible which would prove
that they are economically backward on par with other backward
communities. About 60% of the households are residing in semi pucca /
kutcha houses, about 78% of the households are possessing white ration
cards, about 74% of the households do not have basic amenities and their
percapita income is also very low when compared to state level. The
Commission personally toured the areas where the community people are
residing and found that most of them live below poverty line and their
economic conditions is not satisfactory. They are not adequately represented
in Government services and there is no political representation. This caste
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was recognized as Backward Class and included at S. No.247 by the Mandal
Commission.
The Commission on a close examination of all the representations both
oral and written, personal inspection of the people and with the survey
reports, came to the conclusion that Sistakaranam community people are
socially and educationally backward for the purpose of Articles 15 (4) and
16 (4) of the Constitution of India and fit to be included in the list of
Backward Classes under Group – D at S.No. 44 and we recommend to the
Government accordingly.
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(10) LAKKAMARI KAPU
K. Mallaiah, President of Lakkamari Kapu Sangham, Venkatraopally,
Karimnagar district, K. Raghu, Sarpanch of Nilojipally village, Vaddepally,
P.Ashok Babu of Gangadevi palli, M. Raji Reddy of Vaddepally, Hanamkonda
and others gave representations dated 28-12-1995 to the then chairman, A.P.
Commission for Backward Classes contending that they have been eking out
their livelihood by collecting lack (Lakka) from forest and sell them in the
market. Since they have been selling lack (Lakka) they are called as
Lakkamari Kapu. Subsequently they have been working as agricultural coolies
and watching cattle and crops. They are residing in Karimnagar, Warangal
and Khammam districts. They are socially and educationally backward and
they are looked down by others. They are not politically represented. They
are not adequately represented in Government services. Hence they
requested for inclusion in the list of Backward Classes. The approximate
population in the year 1995 was about 38,000. At present they are working as
agricultural coolies. They used to take the cattle for grazing and also look
after the agricultural operation. G. Rajesam Goud, the then Chairman, Zilla
Perishad, Karimnagar, submitted his representation to the Commission
requesting to include Lakkamari Kapu caste in the list of Backward Classes.
Birudu Rajamallu, the then MLA, Peddapally constitutency Karimnagar district
also requested for the inclusion of the said caste. Ch. Rajeshwar Rao, MLA
also made similar request for inclusion. Ponnala Lakshmaiah, Minister for
Major and Medium Irrigation, Juvvadi Rathnakar Rao, Minister for
Endowments, Stamps and Registration, B. Venkateshwarulu, the then
Chairman Zilla Parishad, Warangal district, Yarraballi Dayakar Rao, the then
MLA, Vardhannapeta, Warangal district and others requested the Commission
for inclusion of said caste in the list of Backward Classes.
After the present Commission was reconstituted a notification dated
17-10-2007 was issued calling for representations, suggestions and objection
and they sent similar representations. Subsequently on 15-11-2007 public
hearing was conducted. Manda Rajamallu, Gopalapuram, Gone Srinivas S/o
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Ramulu, Rudravaram, Hanumula Narsaiah and Musuku Raju S/o Chinna
Komaraiah, Yedullapuram appeared before the Commission and pleaded for
inclusion. There were no objectors opposing for inclusion of this caste.
The Commission deputed the survey team to assess the living
conditions of the people and to conduct household sample survey. The socio
educational and economic report together with the statistical data collected by
the survey team is as follows:
ORIGIN OF THE COMMUNITY :
The survey team of the A.P. Commission for Backward classes
comprising of Deputy Director (Statistics) and Asst. Statistical Officer has
extensively conducted random household survey in Karimnagar and Warangal
districts during January, 2009. In course of deliberations with the community
elders, it has been informed that the nomenclature of the community
LAKKAMARI KAPU has come into existence as the community people used to
collect “LAK” which is a form of residue of certain kind of larva which is to
feed on certain trees. In addition to collection of LAK, the community people
also said to have been collecting certain forest produce and use to trade the
same in the nearby villages. Though LAK is not a forest produce in Andhra
Pradesh. It is generally believed that the community might have been
migrated from Maharastra long away. To give strength to migration theory of
the community from Maharastra, the marriage alliances are with Maharastra
counterparts are still in vogue. There is another anecdote of amusement that
the community people have indeed constructed the LAK palace for the
destruction of Pandavas where by they have been cursed to live like
squalidity. Upon close examination of the community concentration, it has
been observed that they are living mostly in remote hamlets of revenue
villages / Mandals mostly nearer to reserved forests which give strength to
the theory that they are indeed lived on trading the forest produce with the
nearby villages/towns in the remote part.
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DESIGN OF HOUSEHOLD SURVEY: The Andhra Pradesh commission for backward classes in its meeting
held on 02-01-2009, unanimously resolved to depute the survey team of the
commission to cull - out data on the socio, educational and economic aspects
of certain communities and the LAKKAMARI KAPU community was one among
them ordered to be surveyed. A new schedule was designed for the purpose
and was agreed to by the commission for the use of fresh surveys on the
communities for which notification/hearings in the commission had long been
over. As the LAKKAMARI KAPU community representationists have submitted
to commission the minute details of households concentration, village wise,
Mandal-wise and district wise, the multi stage random household survey on
LAKKAMARI KAPU community was conducted as first of its kind with new
schedule during January, 2009 in Karimnagar and Warangal districts. A total
of 112 households were selected by random and surveyed of which the urban
samples are of the order of 7 households only.
SURVEY RESULTS
The total population covered by the survey is 389 of which the male
constitute 192 persons and rests 197 are females. The sex ratio is recorded
as103 females per 100 males and the household size is recorded as 3.5
persons.
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BACKWARDNESS:
S. No. Questions Answers No. %
1 Household feeling on the caste Superiority/Inferiority
Inferior 107 95.5
Normal 5 4.5
Superior 0 0.0
Total 112
2 Whether the caste is looked down by the society
Yes 106 94.6
No 6 5.4
Total 112
3 Whether the caste people are dwelling in discriminated locality
Yes 37 33.0
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No 75 67.0
Total 112
4 Whether milk is purchased for household purpose
Yes 82 73.2
No 30 26.8
Total 112
5 Whether newspaper is purchased
Yes 6 5.4
No 106 94.6
Total 112
6 Whether the household is living in a rented house or own house
Rented 7 6.3
Own 105 93.8
Total 112
7 Average plinth area of the house is between 150 and 300 sq. ft.
8 Kind of house
RCC 7 6.3
Tiled 100 89.3
Tiled / Tatched 5 4.5
Total 112
9 Provision of bathroom
Yes 20 17.9
No 92 82.1
Total 112
10 Provision of individual sanitary latrines
Yes 14 12.5
No 98 87.5
Total 112
11 Provision of drinking water tap within premises
Yes 47 42.0
No 65 58.0
Total 112
12 How long to go to collect drinking water On an average 150 to 200 meters to fetch drinking water from
13 Whether the house is electrified
Yes 105 93.8
No 7 6.3
Total 112
14 Fuel used for cooking purpose
Gas 7 6.3
Purchased fire wood 5 4.5
Firewood by own 100 89.3
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collection
Total 112
15 Fan facility in home
Yes 94 83.9
No 18 16.1
Total 112
16 Phone connectivity including cell phones
Yes 10 8.9
No 102 91.1
Total 112
17 Ration cards
No cards 9 8.0
White cards 101 90.2
Pink cards 2 1.8
Total 112
18 Political power of the community No person of the community is of any level of political entity.
19 Appearance of the household members with regard to dress and footwear
Poor appearance 101 90.2
Middle class appearance 11 9.8
Rich appearance 0 0.0
Total 112
20 Ornaments with precious metal observed
Poorly bejeweled 108 96.4
Reasonable bejeweled 4 3.6
No jewelry 0 0.0
Total 112
21 Hygienic conditions of the surroundings of the household
Slum 98 87.5
Middle class 14 12.5
Posh locality 0 0.0
Total 112
22 House holds take part in intoxication on certain social/religious occasion
Yes 95 84.8
No 17 15.2
Total 112
23 Whether the community is discriminated in the local functions/festivals
Yes 80 71.4
No 32 28.6
Total 112 100.0
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24 Practice of Widow remarriages
Yes 33 29.5
No 79 70.5
Total 112
25 Practice of child marriages
Yes 111 99.1
No 1 0.9
Total 112
26 Feeling on disclosure of own caste among advanced caste people
Feel shame to disclose 112 100.0
Do not feel shame to disclose
0 0.0
Total 112
27 Ability to resist atrocities by advance caste people
Do not have Guts 108 96.4
Having guts 4 3.6
Total 112
The above table gives clear picture of certain variables under social
and economic aspects of backwardness which is summed up as detailed
below.
The community certainly feels that they are inferior by virtue of the
caste as compared to other advanced castes in their localities. A whopping
95.5% of the households have indicated that they are inferior by caste. As
regards society’s treatment on the caste, again a large number of households
(94.6%) have stated that they are looked down by the society around them.
As regards the dwellings of the community, it has been observed that their
concentration is mostly in the remote hamlets away from both the revenue
village and Mandal headquarters. Probably the community had adopted a
kind of living away from the habitations of advanced castes to avoid social
skirmishes followed by persecution. 33% of the households have stated that
they are living in discriminated locality mostly with caste concentrations and
67% negatives the same. Purchase of milk for the daily use of household has
been taken as a tool to measure economic advancement in rural sector.
Contrary to the general presumption, 73.2% of the households have stated
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that they are purchasing milk only for drinking tea which is an addiction
generally seen among the people of Telangana area. Only 26.8% have stated
no to purchasing of milk. A large size of 94.6% households has reported that
they do not purchase newspaper nor can read. Only 5.4% of households are
buying newspapers who are urban oriented. Almost all the village households
are living in their own house with a plinth area between 150 and 300 sq. ft.
mostly with single room facility. 89.3% of the houses are made of mud walls
with tiled roofs a general seen in the typical village of Telangana districts.
Only 6.3% houses are seen with R.C.C. top and 4.5% of houses with both
tiled and thatched kind. 82.1% households are not having bathrooms and
87.5% are not having individual sanitary latrines. Though marginal
percentage of households having bathrooms and latrines they are not pakka
made and without doors and open top. About 48% of the households have
no tap connection in their homes and they have to cover a distance of 150 to
200 meters to fetch bore or tap water. Only 6.3% of households were not
electrified. As much as 89.3% of households have reported that their means
for cooking is firewood collected by them. Only 6.3% of households mostly in
urban area are using gas for cooking purpose. In general terms though the
entire community is found to be poor yet almost every family is fitted with a
ceiling fan with 83.9%. Only 16.1% are not having fan in the homes. On
enquiry it has been informed that the fan has become most essential part of
their living to ward away mosquitoes with its wind otherwise they cannot
even sleep for a while. In the age of telecommunication the usage of cell
phones/land phones has become a must even for a common man. But the
community is availing only 8.9% and the rest 91.1% have no connectivity
which clearly shows that they are most backward in the area of
communication. About 90.2% households are availing white ration cards, 8%
having no cards and 1.8% have pink ration cards. For the first time data on
political power of the community was collected. During the survey, the team
did not come across a single Surpanch from the community let alone other
higher ups in political arena. Their political power of the community is almost
nil as per survey findings.
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The appearance of the rural folk is dismal as they wore shady clothes
and almost no footwear. So also the general appearance of woman folk with
ornaments is also observed as poorly bejeweled with very minimum
ornaments of precious metals. A large number of households with 87.5% are
living in slum surroundings. It is quite interesting to note that 84.8% of
households take rejoice by intoxicating drinks like thadi/gudumba during
festivities and household functions enmass. About 71.4% households have
reported that they are discriminated in the local functions and festivals.
The Practice of widow remarriages among the community is in vogue
provided they do not possess children. The practice of child marriages is very
common with a whopping 99.1%. Almost all the households have reported
that they feel shame in exposing their caste among advanced castes and they
do not have guts to repulse atrocities committed on them by the forward
castes.
EDUCATION DETAILS OF THE COMMUNITY :
S. No. Description MALE FEMALE TOTAL % to Total
1 Children the age group of 0 to 5 9 12 21 5.4
2 Never been to school 78 108 186 47.8
3 Upto primary level 60 44 104 26.7
4 Upto secondary level 34 27 61 15.7
5 Upto intermediate 8 3 11 2.8
6 Degree 1 1 2 0.5
7 PG 1 0 1 0.3
8 Professional courses 1 2 3 0.8
9 Total population of the community 192 197 389 100.0
As can be inferred from the above table the illiterates constitute as
high as 71% and 15.7% upto secondary level, 2.8% intermediate level, 0.5%,
0.3% and 0.8% with Degree, PG and Professional courses respectively. Thus
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the community is indeed reeling under educational backwardness and
naturally cannot avail the fruits of programmes of government in the related
fields.
DROPOUTS AT PRIMARY SCHOOL STAGE :
S.N o. MALE FEMALE TOTAL REASONS
1 5 (17.9%)
9 (63.6%)
14 (25.9%)
a) Could not cope up with studies
b) To help family for augmentation of
income.
The female dropout rate is quite high with 63.6% due to the
community’s short sidedness on the utility of the education specially for
female children.
DROPOUTS AT SECONDARY SCHOOL STAGE :
S. No. MALE FEMALE TOTAL REASONS
1 18 (90%)
7 (87.5%)
25 (89%)
a) Could not cope up with studies
b) To help family for augmentation of
income.
The dropouts at the secondary school stage are very high with 90% in
boys’ category and 87.5% in girls’ category and the total put together is 89%.
The phenomenon shows there is no growth after secondary school stage.
This means the children prosecuting higher education has come to an end
with secondary school stage itself. The community thus is without doubt very
backward in the educational aspect.
WORKERS AND NON WORKERS BY SEX:
Workers Non workers
Male Female Total Male Female Total
130 113 243 44 68 112
74.7% 62.4% 68.5% 25.3% 37.6% 31.5%
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The work participation rate of the community among males is 74.7%
while that of females is 62.4% and the total is 68.5% as against the state
work participation rates of 56.2%, 35.1% and 45.8% respectively.
Comparatively the work participation rates of the community is very high
which indicates that the whole community irrespective of age group are
participating in labour oriented works for a living.
ECONOMIC CLASSIFCATION OF WORKERS:
S. No. Type of manpower No. of workers
% to total work force
% to population #
1 Agricultural
labours 160 65.8 54.2
2 Non agricultural
labours 31 12.8 10.5
3 Own agriculturists 43 17.7 14.6
4 Own
entrepreneurs 6 2.5 2.0
5 State govt.
employees 2 0.8 0.7
6 Central
government employees
0 0.0 0.0
7 Employees in
private organization 1 0.4 0.3
TOTAL 243 100.0 82.4
# N.B. Population excludes 0 to 14 years of age (94 children) From the above table it can be observed that majority of the workers
engaged as agricultural and non agricultural labours with 64.7% of the total
population or 78.6% over working population followed by own agriculturists
with 14.6% over total population are 17.7% worker population. Own
account entrepreneurs constitute only 2.5% over work force due to the
reason that they do not have the knack of doing business with some
intelligence. State government employees in the community constitute a
dismal 0.8% to the work force are 0.7% over population. This phenomenon
does shows that they do not posses needed qualification to fit in the slots of
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government employment. Employees in private organization are also as low
0.4% over workers are over 0.3% over population. Thus it can be inferred
that baring own agriculturist the rest of the category are virtually in labour
force.
HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND PER CAPITA INCOME OF THE COMMUNITY
(in Rs.)
S.No. DESCRIPTION RURAL URBAN TOTAL
1 Total monthly income of the workers of the households surveyed
182960 45200 228160
2 Per capita income of workers 792 3767 939
3 Per capita income of the community
503 1808 587
4 Total households monthly expenditure
180680 41250 221930
5 Per capita household monthly expenditure
1721 5893 1982
6 Per capita monthly expenditure 496 1650 571
The per capita income of the households for rural is Rs.792 while that
of urban households is Rs.3,767. The total put together is Rs.939. The per
capita income of the community is very low in rural areas with Rs. 503 while
that of in urban areas is 1808 and the total is Rs.587. The per capita
household expenditure for rural areas is Rs. 1721 while for urban areas is Rs.
5,893 and rural urban put together is Rs.1982. The per capita expenditure
estimated comes to Rs. 496 for rural areas, Rs. 1650 for urban areas and
rural and urban put together is Rs. 571. In this connection, it may be
mentioned that the National Sample Survey Organization, Government of
India has brought out a publication for its 61st rounds survey viz. ‘Household
consumer expenditure among socio economic groups 2004-05’ wherein it was
indicated that the average MPCE (Monthly Per Capita Expenditure) for rural
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areas for all categories in Andhra Pradesh is Rs.585.55 as against the present
communities per capita expenditure of Rs.496, which is 15% less than the
state average. This phenomenon does show that the community is eking out
just hand to mouth livelihood.
EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF MONTHLY HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE
(RURAL) (in Rs.)
Income total
Food Fuel Rent
Clothing
Education
Medical
Toilet articles
Transport
Entertainment
Others
Total Exp.
Savings
183560 10674
0 8130 400 13375 5865 14620 8355
7385
1560 14250 18068
0 2830
% share
58.1 4.4 0.2 7.3 3.2 8.0 4.6 4.0 0.8 7.8 98.4 1.5
EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF MONTHLY HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE
(URBAN)
(in Rs.)
Income total
Food Fuel Rent
Clothing
Education
Medical
Toilet articles
Transport
Entertainment
Others
Total Exp.
Savings
45200 15700 2700
7700
1600 7170 500 900 2610
1150 1220 41250 3950
% share
34.7 6.0 17.0 3.5 15.9 1.1 2.0 5.8 2.5 2.7 91.3 8.7
In rural areas the expenditure on food items constitute 58.1%, for fuel
4.3%, for clothing 7.3%, on education 3.2%, on medical expenditure 7.96%,
toilet articles 4.6%, transport 4% and on entertainment as low 0.8%. There
is a saving of 1.5% on the income as recorded in the survey. The
expenditure on medicines is on the higher side given the income limit of the
rural community. In the urban sector the expenditure on food constitute
34.7% followed by rent with 17.0%, on education 15.9% and on transport
5.8%. There is a saving of 8.7% over income as recorded in the urban
sector.
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HOUSEHOLD PROPERTY AND INDEBTEDNESS
(in Rs.)
IMMOVABLE PROPERTY VALUE IN Rs.
MOVABLE PROPERTY VALUE IN Rs.
IRRG - Land
Un Irrigated Land
House House site
Cattle/
Sheap, etc.
Agri. implements
Two Wheelers etc.
TV, VCR, etc.
Electrical
appliances
Furniture
Tools
Bank Balance/ Money on hand
TOTAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
1404000
553000
2611500
401000
253160
112790
111700
58500
38500 107650
0 17500 566930
0
Contd…
INDEBTEDNESS
Outstanding
STATUS OF HOUSEHOLD NET VALUE
14 15
3815200 1854100
Contd… (in Rs.)
AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD ASSET VALUE 50619
PER CAPITA VALUE OF HOUSEHOLD ASSETS 14574
TOTAL No. OF HOUSEHOLDS BORROWED DEBTS
62
% OF HOUSEHOLDS BORROWED DEBTS 58.9%
AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD DEBTS 34064
PER CAPITA DEBTS OF THE COMMUNITY 9808
STATUS OF PER CAPITA HOUSEHOLD NET VALUE
16554
STATUS OF PER CAPITA NET VALUE OF THE COMMUNITY
4766
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In order to assess the per capita household asset value, per capita
household debts, per capita debts of the community, necessary statistics has
collected and the results are as stated below.
The average household assets value is estimated at Rs. 50,619 and the
per capita household assets value is Rs. 14,574. As much as 58.9%
households have borrowed loans from a single source i.e., “money lenders”,
for the community has no alternative source to get the loans for their varied
purposes. The average household debts is estimated at Rs.34,064 while the
per capita debts is estimated at Rs.9,808. Thus the community is under the
grip of indebtedness with no hope of repayment unless their economic
condition changes with miracles. The per capita household net value is
estimated at Rs.16,554 while the per capita net value of the community is
estimated as low as Rs.4,766. This means, on an average, a person is having
a net value of assets like house, house site, household articles, agricultural
land, two wheelers, furniture etc., all put together Rs.4,766 only.
PURPOSE FOR WHICH LOANS RAISED
S.No. Description %
1 For medical expenses 40.3%
2 For household consumption 12.9%
3 For repayment of outstanding debts and interest
payments 25.8%
4 For agricultural inputs 21.0%
TOTAL : 100.0%
As has been explained in the preceding table, as much as 58.9%
households have borrowed loans from money lenders for various purposes. It
is interesting to note that over 40% loans were raised for medical expenses
followed by 25.8% towards repayment of outstanding loans and interest
payments, 21% for purchase of agricultural inputs and 13% for household
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consumption purpose. As the hamlets are quite away from the Mandal head
quarters / district head quarters, the availment of medical facilities provided
by the government is not within the reach of the community in particular.
The survey team has also observed that over 90% of the villages do not have
a qualified medical practitioner other than quacks who are fleecing the poor
under the guise of mediocre medical attention.
SUMMERY FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY Social aspect:-
a) About 95% households have reported that, they feel inferior by their
caste.
b) About 95% households have stated that, they are looked down by the
society around them.
c) About 33% households have stated that, they are living in
discriminated localities.
d) Over 85% households have stated that, they used to get pleasure by
intoxication (toddy/gudumba/ country arrack) in household / religious
functions/ occasions.
e) Over 71% have reported that, their community is discriminated in the
local functions and festivals by advanced community people.
f) Practice of widow remarriages are in vogue in the community.
g) Practices of child marriages are very common in the community.
h) Almost all households have reported that, they feel shame to be
identified with their community name.
i) Over 96% of the households have reported that, they do not report to
Govt. in case of atrocities committed on them by advanced caste
people for fear of persecution.
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Educational aspect:-
a) Illiteracy among community people is recorded as 71% as against the
State illiteracy rate of 40%.
b) The community people studied upto secondary education level is only
15.7%.
c) The community people studied upto intermediate level is only 2.8%.
d) Dropouts in primary education are recorded at 25.9%, out of which the
female dropout rate is as high as 64%.
e) The dropout rate at secondary education level is very high at 89%.
This mean the community is not progressive beyond secondary level of
education among their children.
Economic aspect:-
a) The work participation rate of the community is recorded as 74.7%
among male, 62.4% female, male and female put together is at 68%
as against the state work participation rates of 56.2%, 35.1% and
45.8% of that order.
b) The agricultural labourers and non agricultural labourers together
accounted for 79%. This mean a large chunk of work force are
labourers.
c) The community share of employment in Govt. sectors among its
workers is as low as 0.8%.
d) The community share of employment in Private sector is again as low
as 0.4%.
e) The per capita income of the community for rural areas is Rs. 503/- for
urban areas is Rs. 1808/- and for both rural and urban areas is Rs.
587/-.
f) The per capita expenditure of the community for rural areas is Rs.496/-
for urban areas is Rs.1650/- and for both rural and urban areas is
Rs.571/-.
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g) The per capita rural indebtedness of community is recorded at
Rs.9,808/- and per household indebtedness is recorded at Rs.16,554/-.
h) The per capita availability lands both under irrigated / un-irrigated
categories are as low as 0.2 acres not withstanding agriculture as the
main source of living for the community.
Political aspect:-
a) The survey team did not come across not even Surpanch among the
households survey let alone other political hierarchy like MPTCs/ ZPTCs
etc.,
As has been explained above in detail, there is no doubt that the
LAKKAMARI KAPU community of Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam
districts are socially, educationally, economically and politically far backward
in all respects. By and large they are no better than most other listed
Backward Classes.
Thus, the LAKKAMARI KAPU community who are mainly found in
Karimnagar, Warangal and Kammam districts is fit to be given the status of
Backward Class and the area of operation may be restricted to Telangana
region for the community may in future spread over to Telangana region of
Andhra Pradesh as the LAKKAMARI KAPU community are in certain areas
having marriage alliances with Munnurukapu community (Who are already in
the list of BCs , at Sl No-20 of group “D” ) of Telangana who are in turn seen
in every District of Telangana region.
The Commission after taking into consideration of the oral and written
representations submitted by the caste people, socio educational and
economic report together with the statistical data submitted by the survey
team, anthropological reports etc., the Commission came to the conclusion
that Lakkamari Kapu caste / community is socially and educationally
backward, entitled to the benefits envisage under articles 15 (4) and 16 (4) of
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the Constitution of India and fit to be included in the list of Backward Classes
under Group – D at Sl. No.45 and the area of operation shall be confined to
Telangana region.
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V - RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION
The commission considered the entire material available i.e., oral and
written representations submitted by the representatives, survey results
obtained by the survey team, the authorities relied by the commission, the
guidelines contemplated to identify the backward classes in the Mandal case
and other important decisions of the Apex court. The Commission after due
deliberations and detailed consideration unanimously resolved to tender
advice and recommend to the Government the following castes /
communities which are socially and educationally backward for purpose of
Articles 15 (4) & 16 (4) of the Constitution of India and fit to be included in
the list of backward classes as shown against each.
Sl. No. Name of the caste Group & No.
1 ATIRASA (confined to East and West Godavari
Districts)
D – 41
2 BUKKA AYYAVARS A – 47
3 GOTRALA (confined to Telangana region) A – 48
4 KASIKAPADI / KASIKAPUDI (confined to
Telangana region)
A – 49
5 SIDDULA (confined to Telangana region) A – 50
6 SIKLIGAR / SAIKALGAR A – 51
7 SONDI / SUNDI D – 42
8 VARALA (confined to Telangana region) D – 43
9 SISTAKARANAM D – 44
10 LAKKAMARI KAPU (confined to Telangana region) D – 45
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The principles of exclusion of socially advanced persons / sections
(creamy layer) already laid down by the state Govt. will automatically and
naturally apply to the above classes now recommended for inclusion.
1. Justice Dalava Subrahmanyam,
Chairman
2. Sri V. Krishna Mohan Rao,
Member
3. Sri Ch. Pandu Ranga,
Member
4. Sri Challakonda Raghuram Prasad,
Member
5. Sri E. Yellappa. I.A.S.,
Member Secretary
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1. ATIRASA caste / community is socially and educationally backward
for purpose of Articles 15 (4) & 16 (4) of the Constitution of India
and fit to be included in the list of backward classes under
Group – D at S. No. 41 and the area of operation shall be
confined to East and West Godavari Districts.
2. BUKKA AYYAVARS caste / Community is socially and
educationally backward for purpose of Articles 15 (4) & 16 (4) of
the Constitution of India and fit to be included in the list of
backward classes under Group – A at S. No. 47.
3. GOTRALA caste / community is socially and educationally
backward for purpose of Articles 15 (4) & 16 (4) of the Constitution
of India and fit to be included in the list of backward classes under
Group – A at S. No. 48 and the area of operation shall be
confined to Telangana region.
4. KASIKAPADI / KASIKAPUDI caste / community is socially and
educationally backward for purpose of Articles 15 (4) & 16 (4) of
the Constitution of India and fit to be included in the list of
backward classes under Group – A at S. No. 49 and the area of
operation shall be confined to Telangana region.
5. SIDDULA caste / Community is socially and educationally
backward for purpose of Articles 15 (4) & 16 (4) of the Constitution
of India and is fit to be included in the list of backward classes
under Group – A at S. No. 50 and the area of operation shall be
confined to Telangana region.
6. SIKLIGAR / SAIKALGAR caste / Community is socially and
educationally backward for purpose of Articles 15 (4) & 16 (4) of
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the Constitution of India and is fit to be included in the list of
backward classes under Group – A at S. No. 51.
7. SONDI / SUNDI caste / Community is socially and educationally
backward for purpose of Articles 15 (4) & 16 (4) of the Constitution
of India and is fit to be included in the list of backward classes
under Group – D at S. No. 42.
8. VARALA caste / Community is socially and educationally backward
for purpose of Articles 15 (4) & 16 (4) of the Constitution of India
and is fit to be included in the list of backward classes under Group
– D at S. No. 43 and the area of operation shall be confined to
Telangana region only.
9. SISTAKARANAM caste / Community is socially and educationally
backward for purpose of Articles 15 (4) & 16 (4) of the Constitution
of India and is fit to be included in the list of backward classes
under Group – D at S. No. 44.
10. LAKKAMARI KAPU caste / Community is socially and
educationally backward for purpose of Articles 15 (4) & 16 (4) of
the Constitution of India and is fit to be included in the list of
backward classes under Group – D at S. No. 45 and the area of
operation shall be confined to Telangana region only.
11. The principles of exclusion of socially advanced persons / sections
(creamy layer) already laid down by the state Govt. will
automatically and naturally apply to the above classes now
recommended for inclusion.
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6. Justice Dalava Subrahmanyam, Chairman
7. Sri V. Krishna Mohan Rao, Member
8. Sri Ch. Pandu Ranga, Member
9. Sri Challakonda Raghuram Prasad, Member
10. Sri E. Yellappa. I.A.S., Member Secretary