YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has come out with yet another master stroke to appease the weaker sections.
His government on Friday decided to provide 50 per cent reservations to SCs, STs and BCs in all the temple trust boards, committees and other endowment bodies.
What is more, 50 per cent of the posts of members in all categories would be reserved for women.
An order to this effect, amending Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Appointment of Trustees Rules, 1987, was issued by special chief secretary (Endowments) Dr Manmohan Singh.
The reservation for weaker sections will hold good for the nominated posts in all temples and endowment bodies like the ones in Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada and Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Srisailam, Dwaraka Tirumala, Annavaram and other temples as well. The reservations, however, will not be applicable to the ex-officio members.
Though a bold decision that deserves appreciation from all sections, it might also cause a lot of resentment from the YSRC leaders who have been expecting nomination to various temple committees.
It remains to be seen how the leaders will react to the decision.
