Leader of the opposition in the Assembly and former chief minister Dhram Singh stated that Congress party was not in favour of internal reservation to various groups among the backward classes as it will amount to discrimination among castes.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Sunday, Singh felt that internal reservation was not a big issue as has been made out by the former prime minister and JD (S) supremo H D Deve Gowda. “Internal reservation is nothing but Deve Gowda’s reservation. It is politically motivated,” Singh quipped.

Replying to a specific question whether Congress party favoured internal reservation the Opposition leader replied in the negative: “We don’t prefer internal reservation. It will discriminate between castes and communities,” Singh said. He felt that the backward classes like Kurubas and Idigas would be hit hard if the internal reservation was to be given. The two communities have already expressed their opposition to the move.

Constitute commission
Dharam Singh took the JD (S)-BJP coalition government to task for not reconstituting the permanent commission for backward classes, which is the only constitutional body to ponder over injustice done to any backward class. “Even 16 months after coming to power the government has not constituted the permanent BC Commission. The government has been giving false assurances,” Singh accused.

He said that it was on the directions of the Supreme Court to all the states that Karnataka had constituted the permanent backward classes commission but in the last 16 months there was no commission at all in the state.

The Commission is empowered to go into the claims and counter claims of various castes and communities for inclusion or deletion in and from the list of backward classes.

Based on the recommendations of the commission the government should take further action.

Funds not used
Mr Singh alleged that the state has failed to utilise Rs 1,361 crore released by the centre towards the rehabilitation of farmers in some suicide-affected districts. The Centre has given this package to bail out farmers from suicide trap. He pointed out that the state has not even prepared a proper plan for utilising the funds. A committee in this regard has been formed and power minister H D Revanna has been made its president. Revenue minister Jagadish Shettar has complained that the Committee should he headed by him.

“There is no coordination whatsoever among the coalition ministers. How can they prevent farmers’ suicide,” Singh asked. According to him after the advent of the Kumaraswamy government 213 farmers have committed suicide in the state.