Karnataka Government Considers 4% Reservation for Muslims in Tenders; BJP Decries It as Political Favoritism
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Karnataka government is considering a 4% reservation for Muslims in civil contracts, akin to existing reservations for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes. The BJP opposes this as political favoritism, urging the government to retract its decision and maintain constitutional integrity.
Key Takeaways
- Karnataka government plans a 4% reservation for Muslims in civil contracts.
- BJP condemns this move, calling it political favoritism.
- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah supports the amendment to the KTPP Act.
- Previous reservations for oppressed communities in government contracts exist.
- Calls for transparency in government schemes and reservations.
Bengaluru, March 5 (NationPress) The Congress-led government in Karnataka is contemplating the introduction of a 4 percent reservation for Muslims in civil contracts, similar to the reservations currently allotted to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Communities, and Backward Classes.
The BJP has criticized this move, labeling it as contrary to the essence of the Constitution and the epitome of political favoritism.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the government plans to amend the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act of 1999. The Finance Department has already drafted the proposal, and H. K. Patil, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, has also supported the amendment, as per sources.
The cabinet meeting scheduled for Wednesday evening is likely to address this issue, with plans to introduce the bill in the upcoming Budget session, pending approval.
BJP Karnataka President B. Y. Vijayendra expressed strong disapproval of the Congress government's strategy of segmenting society and the state along religious lines. He urged the government to retract its decision to extend reservations for the Muslim community in government contracts, labeling it as political appeasement.
Vijayendra pointed out that the Congress government seems to recognize only Muslims as minorities, neglecting other genuinely marginalized communities.
“Reservations based solely on religion contradict the constitutional spirit,” he argued. “Now, with a proposed 4 percent reservation for Muslims in government contracts, this represents the peak of political favoritism,” he asserted.
“We would have no objections if this was extended to all minority communities,” he added.
He called for the implementation of government schemes with transparency, asserting that reservations should be allocated to oppressed communities in alignment with the principles laid out by B. R. Ambedkar.
“However, granting reservations based on religion jeopardizes transparency,” he remarked.
Vijayendra highlighted that traditional occupational communities, which are significantly disadvantaged, are struggling to keep pace with modern technological advancements. He criticized the Siddaramaiah government for failing to establish any specific programs, schemes, or reservations for these communities.
Previously, the Congress government had amended the KTPP Act to provide 24.01 percent reservation for oppressed communities in government tenders valued up to Rs 50 lakh. This was further amended in March 2023 to extend this limit to contracts worth up to Rs 1 crore.
A group of Muslim legislators and community leaders had previously submitted a memorandum to CM Siddaramaiah, requesting reservations in government contracts for their community. Although the government considered it, they later retracted the proposal following controversy.
