Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Unveils Muslim Quota in Government Contracts and Allocates ₹42,018 Crore for SC/ST Welfare
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Synopsis
Karnataka's CM Siddaramaiah has introduced a quota for Muslims in government contracts while allocating ₹42,018 crore for SC/ST welfare in the 2025-26 budget, which includes provisions for education and community development.
Key Takeaways
- Muslim reservation in Karnataka government contracts announced.
- ₹42,018 crore allocated for SC/ST welfare.
- Upgradation of 31 residential schools to PU colleges.
- Action plan for ₹1,000 crore under minority development.
- Increased honorarium for religious leaders.
Bengaluru, March 7 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, has declared a reservation for Muslims in government contracts as part of the budget for the financial year 2025-26, alongside an allocation of ₹42,018 crore dedicated to the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Although CM Siddaramaiah refrained from explicitly naming any community during his address, the budget has included the Category-IIB, which specifically pertains to Muslims.
Moreover, it was revealed that for the year 2025-26, a total of ₹42,018 crore has been earmarked under the Karnataka Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), which includes ₹29,992 crore for SCSP and ₹12,026 crore for TSP.
He also mentioned, “As per the provisions of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act, the reservation for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Category-I, Category-IIA, and Category-IIB contractors in various projects will be increased to ₹2 crore.”
Additionally, the CM stated that reservations will be implemented for suppliers from these categories in the procurement of goods and services across different government departments, corporations, and institutions, capped at ₹1 crore.
To promote higher education among Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes, 31 residential schools will be upgraded to PU colleges, as announced by CM Siddaramaiah.
“Through the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Fellowship Scheme, a grant of ₹1 crore will be awarded to support two students admitted to the London School of Economics and Columbia University, institutions attended by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution,” he added.
Furthermore, an Action Plan worth ₹1,000 crore has been crafted under the Chief Minister’s Minority Colony Development Programme, with initiatives set to commence in the fiscal year 2025-26.
In order to enhance the educational experience in madrasas, resources such as computers and smart boards will be provided to facilitate students’ preparation for the SSLC examination.
Additionally, plans are underway to establish 15 women’s colleges on vacant plots of Waqf institutions to advance higher education for minority women in the year 2024-25, with 16 new women’s colleges to be initiated in 2025-26.
“Grants amounting to ₹100 crore have been allocated for the overall development of Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh communities, while ₹250 crore will be designated for the upliftment of the Christian community,” he noted.
The honorarium for Jain priests, Chief Granthis of Sikhs, and Pesh-Imams of mosques will see an increase to ₹6,000 per month, while the honorarium for Assistant Granthi and Muezzin will rise to ₹5,000 per month, according to CM Siddaramaiah.
