Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 28: The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the interim report submitted by the one-man commission led by retired Justice H N Nagamohan Das, paving the way for internal reservation within the Scheduled Castes (SC) in the state. The government has also decided to conduct a fresh, data-driven survey to facilitate the classification of sub-castes within the SC community.
Announcing the decision at a press conference in Vidhana Soudha, Karnataka law and tourism minister H K Patil, alongside social welfare minister H C Mahadevappa and medical education minister Sharan Prakash Patil, stated that the Cabinet has entrusted the responsibility of conducting the fresh survey to the Nagamohan Das Committee.
“The commission has made four key recommendations, including a scientific survey to classify SC sub-castes based on modern tools and technology. This will help in the equitable distribution of reservation benefits,” minister Patil said.
To expedite the process, the committee’s tenure has been extended by two months, with expectations that the survey can be completed within 60 days. The new survey will be guided by a high-level committee, ensuring efficient training, resource mobilization, and accurate data collection.
The ministers emphasized the government's commitment to fair and legally sound implementation of internal reservation. “Accurate data is crucial to prevent legal challenges and ensure that reservation benefits reach the right communities,” Mahadevappa noted.
The decision follows concerns that previous census data lacked specific details on sub-groups such as Adi Karnataka, Adi Dravida, and Adi Andhra, making legal validation difficult. With over 6,000 panchayats and 300 wards across Karnataka, the survey will be carried out intensively using advanced technology, under the supervision of the chief secretary.
The interim report, titled ‘Honourable Justice H N Nagamohan Das Single Member Bench: Classification of Scheduled Caste Internal Reservation’, was officially submitted to chief minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday in the presence of key ministers, including food minister K H Muniyappa and social justice minister H C Mahadevappa.
The Karnataka government has reiterated that once the final report is submitted, it will move forward with implementing internal reservations in government jobs, ensuring equitable opportunities for all eligible SC communities.