AP proposes BC Protection Act with punishments for caste-based harassment

Vijayawada: The BC Protection Act proposed to be brought in by the NDA govt in Andhra Pradesh is likely to include provisions prescribing punishments for 15 types of harassment using caste or occupational identities, and against social or economic boycotts of people from backward class communities. It was one of the promises made by the NDA partners in the run-up to the 2024 elections.The state govt earlier constituted a group of ministers (GoM) committee to study the modalities of the Act and submit a draft Bill. The govt intends to bring in the new legislation to ensure protection of wealth, dignity, and lives of 138 castes categorised as BCs, on the same lines as the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.The GoM met multiple times and held detailed deliberations on the proposed legislation. BC and EWS welfare minister S Savitha said the new law will prescribe strict action against those violating the provisions of the Act. The meeting, held under her leadership, was attended by ministers Kinjrapu Atchannaidu, Kollu Ravindra, and Anagani Satyaprasad, and MLC Beeda Ravichandra Yadav. Ministers Vasamsetti Subhash, Kondapalli Srinivas, and Satyakumar Yadav participated through video conference.Savitha said the govt is fulfilling the assurances given to BCs during the elections and the proposed legislation is part of that commitment. "The meeting was convened to give a final shape to the law. A draft of the BC Protection Act has been prepared," she said, adding that details of the deliberations would be placed before chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu for his approval. Savitha further observed that Andhra Pradesh will become the first state in the country to implement a BC Protection Act.Earlier, BC welfare department secretary S Satyanarayana briefed the ministers on the precautions taken and expert inputs considered in drafting the law, including suggestions from the central advocate general and the National Commission for Backward Classes. Ministers Atchannaidu and Ravindra said consultations with all BC associations and public representatives should be held to ensure the law is framed without any scope for disputes.