New Delhi: Even as Bihar government's move to decategorise the Scheduled Castes (SC) by constituting Mahadalit Commission in the state triggered a controversy, the Central government is learnt to have sought the views of National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) over a similar proposal for Andhra Pradesh.

Sources said the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has sought views of the NCSC over the Usha Mehra Commission report, which reportedly favoured classification of the SC in sub groups and recommended a constitutional amendment for the purpose.

The Central government plans to introduce a Bill in Parliament to implement the recommendations and hence the view of NCSC has been sought, sources said.

With the assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh and the Lok Sabha elections not far off, the move is likely to trigger a political chain reaction as the issue has strong social and political connotations.

There are two major sub-groups -- Madigas and Malas -- among the SC in the state. While Madigas including cobblers constitute 60 to 70 per cent of the total SC population in the state and are mostly engaged in leather-related works. Malas are between 30 to 40 per cent of the total SC population.

Madigas, despite constituting the largest chunk of population there, lag far behind the Malas in economic and social status. Malas benefited from reservation and other government policies owing to their being comparatively well- off and more educated in the southern state.

The community had been demanding separate reservations for them for long time and had even organised a fast unto death under the banner of Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti to demand introduction of a bill on SC classification in Parliament a few months back.

Source : PTI