Karnataka govt to hike SC/ST reservation

The Karnataka government on Friday decided to increase the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (SC/STs) quota in the state.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai chaired an all-party meeting that was attended by Congress and JD(S) leaders. (Photo: PTI)

By Nagarjun Dwarakanath: The Karnataka government has decided to increase reservations for Scheduled Castes and Tribes in the state, in a major decision ahead of the assembly polls. It has been decided to hike the quota for SCs from 15 per cent to 17 per cent and for STs from 3 per cent to 7 per cent.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, after chairing a meeting of leaders of both the Houses to discuss the Justice Nagamohan Das Committee report, said the hike SC/ST quota, on the basis of population, has been a long pending demand.

Accordingly, it was unanimously decided to increase reservations for the SCs to 17 per cent and the STs to 7 per cent.

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Prior to this meeting, the issue was discussed with senior leaders during an all-party meet. Besides, a resolution was adopted in the BJP core committee meeting held this morning to hike the reservation for SCs/STs in order to show its commitment to social justice, and to take legal actions in this regard.

A cabinet meeting will be convened on Saturday to discuss all the recommendations of the Justice Nagamohan Das Committee report and a final notification will be issued in this regard. In the coming days, decisions regarding internal reservations among the SCs/STs will also be taken in due consultation with experts and leaders of all parties.

At present there is 15 per cent reservation for SCs, 3 per cent for STs and 32 per cent for the other backward classes (OBC), which adds to 50 per cent. Chief Minister Bommai said with the latest move, the quantum of reservation will not be reduced.

The government plans to introduce the reservation under Schedule 9, because it has judicial immunity. Tamil Nadu did it under Schedule 9 to increase reservations to 69 per cent.

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