After the passage of the bill in the Karnataka assembly, a four percent reservation to Muslims in government tenders in Karnataka will be applicable with a reported maximum limit of tender Rs 2 crore.
Good news for Muslims: In a significant development from Karnataka, the cabinet of Karnataka led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has approved four per cent reservation in tenders to Muslim contractors. Through amending the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, the cabinet has ensured that reservation will be provided to the Muslim community of Karnataka. Here are all the details you should know.
After the passage of the bill in the Karnataka assembly, a four percent reservation to Muslims in government tenders in Karnataka will be applicable with a reported maximum limit of tender Rs 2 crore. The reservation will notably be applicable in the procurement of goods and services under various government departments, institutions and corporations for suppliers belonging to various categories including SC, ST, Category-I, Category-II A, and Category-II B, up to Rs 1 crore, in which Category-II B refers to Muslims.
Cabinet approves Karnataka Gram Swaraj
In another significant update, the Karnataka Cabinet also approved the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to provide ‘B’ khatas to all unauthorised rural properties, which is very similar to the exercise being carried out in urban areas. Most importantly, the new bill is expected to cover some 90 lakh rural properties that do not have khatas.
According to the PTI report, the Karnataka cabinet also discussed a proposal to give 4.24 acres of land belonging to the Agriculture Department in Hebbal for the International Flower Auction Bangalore (IFAB) on a rent-free basis for two years.
Financial assistance for reconstruction and replacement
It has also been reported that discussions were also held on approving financial assistance of Rs 96.77 crore for reconstruction and replacement of equipment at Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre after the January fire incident.
BJP slams Congress over 4% reservation
In a reaction to the cabinet nod, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Ravi Shankar Prasad criticised the Karnataka government’s decision to grant 4 per cent reservation for Muslim contractors and called it “appeasement politics” of the Congress.
Criticising the move, the BJP further said the Congress party is “not learning its lesson” despite losing multiple elections, as per a report by news agency ANI.
“This issue is of Karnataka, but it has nationwide implications. This also signals the mentality of Congress and Rahul Gandhi. The Karnataka Government in the budget has publicly announced a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in government contracts”, Prashad said while speaking on the issue.
(With inputs from agencies)
