Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)
Belagavi, Nov 30: Karnataka chief minister (CM), Siddaramaiah, said that the issue of tabling the report of Backward Classes Commission chaired by H Kantharaj which had conducted caste census, and recommending constitutional ammendments to provide for increasing quantum of reservation to 70 percent for scheduled castes, tribes, minorities and backward classes on the basis of their respective population figures like in Tamil Nadu, is being considered. In all likelihood, the report of the said commission will be put up before the next legislature session, he added.
"Our government will take the initiative for bringing constitutional ammendment to increase the percentage of reservation. BJP leader, K S Eshwarappa, will have to take the lead in convincing the centre to ammend the constitution. The Kantharaj Commission is likely to submit its report to the state government by December this year or January 2017," he added.
"The Supreme Court has ruled that total reservation cannot exceed 50 percent. At the same time, Tamil Nadu government has increased reservation percentage to 69 and initiated steps to include it under ninth schedule of the constitution. Our state will follow this model and try to increase reservation to 70 percent by ammending the law," he stated.
Siddaramiaah pointed out that the Indian constitution has not set any limit for reservations but the Supreme Court verdict fixing maximum limit to 50 percent has become a roadblock for efforts towards increasing reservation. "We will recommend to increase reservation. Now it is up to the centre to show commitment for the welfare of backward classes and minorities by approving the state's recommendations," he explained.