The Karnataka Cabinet has given its approval for an internal reservation system for Scheduled Castes (SCs) using a revised formula, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Thursday. The decision, which has been in the works for several months, is aimed at ensuring a more equitable distribution of benefits among various sub-groups within the SC community.
Revised Formula for Internal Quota
The new formula, which was cleared by the cabinet, seeks to address the long-standing demands for sub-categorization of SCs. The CM stated that the decision was delayed due to several factors, despite a unanimous resolution passed at a convention held in Chitradurga earlier. The revised formula is expected to allocate reservations based on the population and socio-economic conditions of different SC sub-groups.
Background of the Decision
The issue of internal reservation for SCs has been a contentious one in Karnataka politics. Several rounds of consultations were held with community leaders and experts before arriving at the current formula. The government had earlier faced criticism for the delay in implementing the internal quota, with opposition parties accusing it of dilly-dallying on the issue.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah emphasized that the cabinet's decision was a historic step towards social justice. He said that the internal quota would help uplift the most marginalized sections within the SC community, ensuring that benefits of reservation reach those who need them the most.
Reactions from Political Parties
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions from political parties. While the ruling Congress party has hailed the decision as a progressive move, the opposition BJP has demanded a detailed explanation of the formula and its implementation timeline. Some SC community leaders have expressed cautious optimism, stating that the actual impact will depend on how the quota is implemented on the ground.
The state government is expected to issue a formal notification soon, detailing the sub-categories and the percentage of reservation allocated to each. The move is likely to have significant political implications ahead of the next assembly elections.
