Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed district collectors to extend Scheduled Caste (SC) benefits to the Budaga Jangam community across the state. This follows a recent High Court order recognizing the Budaga Jangam community as a Scheduled Caste.
Naidu instructed officials to immediately begin implementing the HC ruling, ensuring the community receives all eligible benefits without delay. These benefits include reservations in education and employment, scholarships, and other welfare schemes designed for SCs. He emphasized the importance of proactive implementation and directed collectors to hold meetings with relevant departments to streamline the process.
The CM highlighted that the Budaga Jangam community has historically faced social and economic disadvantages. Recognizing them as SCs is a step towards social justice and empowering the community. He stated the government is committed to uplifting all marginalized sections of society.
Officials were asked to issue necessary orders and guidelines to all concerned departments, including education, welfare, and revenue, to facilitate the inclusion of the Budaga Jangam community in SC lists and ensure they can avail themselves of the benefits.
Naidu also directed the officials to create awareness among the Budaga Jangam community about the benefits available to them and assist them in the application process. He stressed the need for sensitivity and responsiveness while dealing with community members.
The decision impacts a significant population across Andhra Pradesh. The government anticipates this move will improve the socio-economic conditions of the Budaga Jangam community and provide them with opportunities for advancement. The collectors were instructed to submit reports on the implementation progress regularly. The government views this as fulfilling a long-pending demand of the community and a commitment to inclusive growth.
