3 days ago
Last Updated:March 05, 2025, 16:56 IST
To enable this, the Karnataka government is all set to amend the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act for which the draft legislation is likely to be tabled in the cabinet today
The draft legislation is likely to be tabled before the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka cabinet on March 5. (Image: PTI/File)
The Congress government in Karnataka Karnataka is planning to introduce a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in government contracts and tenders. To enable this, it is all set to amend the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act for which the draft legislation is likely to be tabled in the cabinet on Wednesday before being moved to the assembly during the ongoing budget session.
The BJP, meanwhile, slammed the move and alleged that the ruling Congress was indulging in minority appeasement politics. According to the draft legislation, which was accessed by CNN-News18, it will allow an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act to insert Category II(B) allowing reservation for Muslims.
The draft legislation states: “For the words, figures and brackets “Category-I and Category II(A) " the words, figures, brackets and punctuation “Category-l, Category-II(A) and Category II(B)" shall be substituted."
“Category II(B) shall mean the backward classes specified as Category-II(B) in the orders issued by the state government from time to time without considering the income criteria," it states.
This will mean that government contracts and tenders up to Rs 1 crore will allow reservation for Muslims, which is similar to what is being provided to contractors belonging to SC and ST categories.
The BJP hit out at the state government, alleging that minorities for the Congress mean Muslims only. “I hear they are going to take it up in today’s cabinet. The BJP will oppose this move, this is appeasement politics. Reservation is there for SC and ST, but what is the development in Karnataka? For the Congress, minorities means Muslims only. The BJP will oppose this in the floor of the House," said state BJP chief BY Vijayendra.
The Congress responded to the allegations claiming that for the BJP, only reservation for Muslims amounts to appeasement. Defending the move, Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad said: “What’s wrong in reservation for minorities that are socially disempowered like Christians, Muslims, Sikhs and Buddhists? Reservation is there for SCs and STs and OBCs, isn’t that appeasement? For the BJP, if there is reservation for Muslims, it is considered appeasement."
Location : First Published:March 05, 2025, 16:51 IST
News politics Karnataka Planning 4% Muslim Quota In Government Contracts, BJP Slams Move
