Muslim quota 'reduced': Congress demands inquiry

HYDERABAD: Former Minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir of the Congress has demanded that a high-level investigation should be ordered into the recent allegations of the 4% quota for Muslims being reduced to 3% under the BC-E category in jobs and education.
There were allegations that the Muslim quota was reduced from 4% to 3% while preparing the roster for enhancement of ST reservations from 6% to 10%.
However, chief secretary Shanti Kumari later clarified that the 4% Muslim quota was intact.
Though Shabbir Ali welcomed the clarification issued by the CS, he also questioned why the state government did not order an inquiry into the "fake" roster circulated in the media.
Shabbir Ali pointed out that a copy of Roster Point No 69 of General Rules showing a reduction in the 4% Muslim quota to 3% was circulated on social media in November 2022.
Congress party immediately sought clarification from the state government, especially the chief secretary.
In response, an unsigned rejoinder was sent to the media claiming that there was no change in the percentage.
When the Congress party continued to build pressure, a few days later, home Minister Mahmood Ali went on record to say that the roster was morphed by some miscreants.
However, no official complaint was lodged, and no agency was assigned the task of tracing the miscreants.