AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi highlighted that over half of the poor lack birth certificates and 42% miss caste‑and‑domicile documents, urging Telangana to issue Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs) during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The demand aims to prevent large sections of marginalized communities from being excluded from the final voter list.

Key Takeaways

  • 52% of poor citizens do not have birth certificates
  • 42% lack both caste and domicile certificates
  • Owaisi demands immediate issuance of PRCs in Telangana

Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis‑e‑Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Hyderabad MP, has intensified pressure on the Telangana government to issue Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs) – also known as Family Register Certificates – for the state’s most vulnerable groups. The appeal comes amid the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a critical phase that determines who will be eligible to vote.

Document Gaps Exposed

Drawing on data from five Indian states, Owaisi warned that roughly 52% of the poor lack a birth certificate, while 42% are missing both caste and domicile certificates. By contrast, 82.3% of children from affluent families possess birth certificates. These stark disparities underscore the risk that many citizens could be omitted from the final voter list simply because they lack basic paperwork.

Meeting with the State Administration

On Friday, Owaisi met Telangana’s Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, accompanied by Faheem Qureshi, president of the Telangana Minority Residential Educational Institutions Society (TMREIS). He urged the Revanth Reddy‑led Congress government to invoke Article 162 and use existing databases – such as the Samagra Kutumba Survey, the 2024‑25 Socio‑Economic and Caste Survey, BHU Bharati Act 2025 records, Food Security Cards, municipal tax rolls, and school registers – to issue PRCs without delay.

Learning from Karnataka’s Model

Owaisi cited Karnataka’s recent rollout of PRCs under a Government Order issued pursuant to the Karnataka Sakala Services Act, 2011. “If Karnataka can do it, why can’t Telangana?” he asked, positioning the neighboring state’s success as a benchmark for immediate action.

Political Ramifications

With the SIR process underway, the demand for PRCs has become urgent; thousands of potential voters risk disenfranchisement due to missing documents. Political analysts view Owaisi’s renewed push as an effort to cast AIMIM as the champion of the under‑privileged ahead of upcoming elections. He also called on the two BJP Union Ministers from Telangana to press the Election Commission to accept alternative IDs such as PAN cards, driving licences, and Food Security Cards, thereby widening the pool of eligible voters.