Karnataka may revive 4% Muslim quota proposal

BENGALURU: Karnataka government is set to reintroduce a proposal granting 4% quota for Muslim contractors in public civil works, nearly a year after dropping the idea amid controversy and allegations of appeasement politics.

The move is seen as an effort by CM Siddaramaiah to consolidate support among Ahinda (a Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes, & Dalits) - a Congress vote base.

The government is planning to amend Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999, in the assembly's current budget session to bring in the reservation. The finance department has prepared a blueprint, and law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil has reportedly given approval to the amendment.

Karnataka reserves 24% of civil work contracts for SCs and STs, 4% for OBC category-1, and 15% for OBCs in category-2A. These reservations collectively account for 43% of the total contracts.

If the proposed 4% Muslim quota is implemented under category-2B, overall reservation in govt contracts will increase to 47%, with ceiling being doubled to Rs 2 crore.

During his first tenure as CM (2013-18), Siddaramaiah introduced reservation in govt contracts for SC/ST contractors. Earlier this year, two OBC categories were granted similar benefits. Communities like Besta, Uppara, and Dalit Christians fall under category-1, while Kurubas, Idigas, and over 100 other communities are part of category-2A. Siddaramaiah belongs to Kuruba community.

Karnataka govt's push to expand reservations in public contracts has irked contractors from Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities, who do not receive such benefits.

BJP has strongly opposed the move, calling it "unconstitutional" and an example of "appeasement politics". "We oppose Congress govt's policy of dividing society based on religion," BJP state chief BY Vijayendra said. "Congress sees only Muslims as minorities, ignoring other genuinely marginalised communities. Muslims already have reservations in education and employment, which goes against the Constitution. Now, granting them 4% reservation in govt contracts is the peak of appeasement politics. If it was for all minorities, we have no objections," he said.


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