6 bills introduced in AP assembly to empower backward,

: The Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh Monday introduced six Bills in the Assembly, aimed at politically and financially empowering backward and downtrodden communities as well as women.

The Chief Minister hailed the proposed legislations, terming them "historic and unprecedented" in the country.

"By introducing these Bills, we are fulfilling our election-eve promises,"he said after the Bills were introduced amid din created by opposition Telugu Desam Party legislators.

One of the Bills relates to constitution of a statutory AP State Commission for Backward Classes (other than SCs and STs), which functions on a permanent basis "in a transparent and objective manner".

Tabling the Bill, Minister for BC Welfare M Sankaranarayana said the proposed legislation would "enhance the confidence of Backward Classes in governance and provide sufficient safeguards to those communities in all fields".

The mandate of the Commission has been broadened to cover all issues related to empowerment and development of BCs, he added.

Labour Minister Gummanur Jayaram introduced a Bill that mandates 75 per cent employment to local candidates in factories and industries being set up in the state, including those established under public-private partnership initiative.

In line with the YSR Congress electoral promises, a Bill was introduced to extend 50 per cent reservation to BC, SC, ST and minority communities in nominated posts in various government corporations and bodies.

Another Bill was introduced to provide 50 per cent "horizontal reservation" for women, across all communities, in nominated posts.

These legislations were aimed at political upliftment of women and backward communities, the BC Welfare Minister said.

Two Bills that aim to extend 50 per cent reservation each to women and BC, SC, ST and minority communities in award of government contracts and service contracts on nominated basis were also introduced.

"These legislations will enable economic upliftment of these sections. This will ensure social justice and also conforms to the principles of equality of opportunities," Sankaranarayana said.