Hyderabad: The state cabinet meeting on Monday is likely to decide on fixing 42% reservations for the Backward Classes (BCs) in local bodies and proceeding with panchayat elections.Sources told TOI that the govt must decide on BC reservations as the high court-set deadline to finalise reservations within a month expired two days ago. The court also directed the govt to complete the panchayat elections by Sept 30.With the ordinance to remove the 50 cap on the quota from the Panchayat Raj Act of 2018 still pending with the governor, and the issue of including the enhanced BC quota in the IX Schedule of the Constitution likely to take much more time, the cabinet must decide on reservations or inform the court of the reasons for the delay.One of the key reports that would be placed before the cabinet for discussion is the over 300-page report submitted by Justice (Retd) Sudarshan Reddy-led independent group of experts, which analysed the caste survey data. The cabinet would discuss the report in detail and is likely to decide on fixing reservations for the BCs in local bodies. The govt plans to approve this report and place it in the assembly for discussion.The cabinet would also discuss the road map as the Kaleshwaram probe report is likely to be submitted in a day or two. Justice (Retd) PC Ghose arrived in the city on Sunday. The extended term of the Ghose commission probing the case expires on July 31.Likewise, the experts committee, appointed by the state govt to probe the exact cause of a major blast in Sigachi industries which claimed over 40 lives, has submitted its report, along with its recommendations, to the govt. The report would be placed before the cabinet.Distribution of ration cards, Indiramma houses, Gig Workers Welfare Bill, Rajiv Yuva Vikasam, monsoon agriculture plan, and other key issues the govt needs to focus on ahead of panchayat elections are likely to be discussed in the cabinet meeting.The cabinet was originally scheduled to be held on July 25, but was deferred to July 28 as most of the ministers, along with the CM, were in New Delhi on July 24, where they gave a presentation to the AICC top leaders and MPs about the caste survey. The following day, the BC community ministers stayed back in the national capital to attend the Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan at Talkatora Stadium, due to which the cabinet meeting was postponed to Monday.
