Karnataka Cabinet Postpones Crucial Decision on Scheduled Castes Internal Reservation
The Karnataka state cabinet, meeting on Thursday, deferred a pivotal decision regarding the contentious issue of implementing internal reservation within the existing 15% quota for Scheduled Castes (SCs). Following extensive deliberations, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his ministerial colleagues were unable to reach a conclusive agreement, opting instead to gather further opinions from all stakeholders before reconvening.
Recruitment Process to Proceed Unhindered Amidst Deliberations
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil clarified that the ongoing recruitment drive to fill 56,432 government vacancies will continue without any modifications for the time being. "There is no hurdle to call for applications," Patil asserted, emphasizing the government's commitment to eventually implementing internal reservation. The timing for the next cabinet meeting to revisit this issue will be determined by the Chief Minister.
Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah held consultations with the Advocate General and Justice Nagamohan Das, who chaired a one-man commission tasked with exploring viable options for introducing internal reservation within the SC quota framework.
Background: Pressure to Fill Vacancies and Quota Complexities
The government is under significant pressure to address over two lakh pending vacancies. In a recent move, it decided to proceed with recruitment while adhering to the Supreme Court-mandated 50% cap on overall reservation. Consequently, the enhanced quota of 17% for SCs and Scheduled Tribes (STs) has been temporarily suspended.
However, departments have been instructed to earmark an additional 2% and 4% of positions for SCs and STs, respectively. These provisions would only take effect if the High Court permits reservation to exceed the 50% ceiling. Meanwhile, ministers such as KH Muniyappa and RB Timmapur have advocated for ensuring reservation mechanisms within the current 15% SC allocation as well.
Health Department Advised Against Invoking ESMA
In a separate development, the cabinet reviewed a proposal from the health department to invoke the Essential Services Management Act (ESMA) against healthcare professionals—both permanent and contractual staff—who have threatened to go on strike. The cabinet has advised the department to refrain from implementing ESMA at this juncture, instead directing the Health Minister to engage in dialogue with the professionals to resolve the crisis amicably.
Other Cabinet Approvals: Advertising Rates and Bus Procurement
The cabinet also sanctioned amendments to the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act, empowering municipal bodies to levy market rates for advertising boards within their jurisdictions. This decision aims to resolve ongoing legal disputes regarding fee structures.
Additionally, an allocation of Rs 62 crore was approved for the procurement of BS VI diesel buses for the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), intended to enhance inter-city transportation services.
