Quota for SC/ST in govt contracts

A bill that provides reservation for SC/ST communities in getting government contracts for civil works and procurement of various items for the government has got President’s assent.

The Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2016 provides for reservation in tender works for the Scheduled Castes (17.15% ) and the Scheduled Tribes (6.95% ) was passed by the legislature in July last. The reservation is restricted to works costing less than Rs 50 lakh.

However, Governor Vajubhai Vala did not give his assent to the bill and sent it to the President stating that it has provisions which went against the Constitution.