The Karnataka state government has decided to provide a 4% reservation in government works to Muslim contractors, in addition to other backward and oppressed classes. Sources establish that the proposal has been approved by the state Cabinet, and an enabling Bill will be tabled before the legislature during the current Budget Session.
After an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, 1999, the new policy will provide Muslim contractors with a 4% reservation in government contract tenders worth up to ₹1 crore, sources said.
Increase in Reservation Quotas for SC/ST Communities
Along with the fresh reservation for Muslim contractors, the state Cabinet also gave its go-ahead to enhancing the tender amount for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) people. Their threshold for eligibility has been increased to ₹2 crore from ₹1 crore.
Minority leaders had previously approached the government, urging them to provide Muslim contractors with inclusion under the existing system of reservation, akin to that for SC, ST, and other backward groups. The demand was reviewed at a Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, which arrived at the decision.
Legislative Steps for Implementation
The Karnataka government has been mulling this step for a while now, with the intention of granting reservations to Muslims in civil contracts in a similar way as given to other backward communities.
As a part of this move, the state is going to amend the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act, 1999. The Finance Department has already prepared the proposed changes, and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil has reportedly sanctioned the amendment, as sources indicate.
Political Reactions: BJP Criticizes the Move
The move has attracted scathing criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has blamed the Congress-led Karnataka government for practicing "appeasement politics."
BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra deplored the move, stating that it is against constitutional principles. He maintained that legislators have not been provided with funds and no tenders have been issued, but the government's decision to implement a reservation policy at this juncture is pointless.
Making a jibe at the Congress, Vijayendra asked if the party thought only Muslims formed the minority community. He asked CM Siddaramaiah to focus more on the economic development of marginalized sections from different communities instead of targeting Muslims alone.
"Appeasement Politics at Its Peak": BJP Leader
Vijayendra also criticized the Congress government by saying that there were many communities such as Madivala and Savita that need help from the state but have been neglected. Vijayendra charged the government with refusing to assimilate these communities into the mainstream while promoting an agenda of appeasement towards Muslims.
He also indicated that Muslims have already been given reservations in education and jobs on the basis of religion, which he said goes against the constitutional framework. "Now, by giving a 4% reservation in government contracts, the Congress has taken appeasement politics to its peak," he said.
What's Next?
With the seal of approval of the Cabinet, the proposal would be brought into the legislature for tabling. If approved, the amendment will be a serious policy change for Karnataka's procurement system. Despite the opposition posed by the BJP and the politicking that ensued with the announcement, the Bill is likely to initiate more talk in the coming days.
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