BC Social Affairs Minister S. Savitha addressed the media in Vijayawada on Saturday. | Photo credit: ARRANGEMENT
Minister for Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections S. Savitha said on Saturday that the BC Protection Act is being drafted and will be implemented soon to protect the wealth, dignity and lives of the 138 BC communities.
Addressing the media after the meeting of the Group of Ministers on the BC Protection Bill here, Ms. Savitha said the proposed legislation envisages strict action against those who insult BC in the name of caste or profession or attempt to ostracize them socially. She said the Coalition government is delivering on the promises made to BC communities during the 2024 election.
The minister said the bill was designed to ensure the safety of BCs and the protection of their property, with provisions for penalties covering 15 types of stalking.
She said that Andhra Pradesh would become the first state to introduce such a law for the welfare of BC communities. The views of BC MLAs, MLCs and BC associations from all the five zones will be collated and submitted to the Chief Minister before finalizing the proposal, she added.
Minister K. Atchannaidu said the legislation should be finalized only after detailed discussions to keep it free of legal complications. Ministers Kollu Ravindra and Anagani Satya Prasad and MLC Beeda Ravichandra Yadav were present in the meeting, while ministers Vasamsetti Subhash, Kondapalli Srinivas and Y. Satya Kumar Yadav participated through video conferencing.
Government Secretary, BC Welfare, S. Satyanarayana explained the drafting process and said the views of BC National Commission and Attorney General of India have already been obtained.
BC Welfare Director A. Mallikarjuna, Joint Secretary (Law) S. Venkateswara Rao and other officials attended the meeting.
Published – 14 March 2026 19:53 IST
