Sexual minorities may be boxed into Backward Class category

The inclusion in the BC category will help sexual minorities and prostitutes lead a life of dignity, the Commission said, as it submitted the report to Governor H R Bhardwaj and Chief Minister Yeddyurappa in Bangalore on Thursday.

The Commission, headed by C S Dwarkanath whose six-year term comes to an end on July 10, has asked for the inclusion of the groups in category 2A to ensure 15 per cent reservation for them. The recommendations were the outcome of a public hearing that the Commission held across the State following a petition filed by transgender groups like the Karnataka State Sexual Minorities Forum.

As it made the new suggestions, the Commission has kept intact the earlier inclusions in the BC list. As many as 260 backward castes and sub-groups continue to be classified under Categories 1, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B. Category 2A includes 102 castes such as Agasa, Idiga, Kumbara, Kuruba, Nayinda, Buddhists, Tigala, Vishwakarma, Devanga, Pattegar and Ganiga.

In addition to the sexual minorities, the Commission has recommended inclusion of micro communities such as Dhangargouli, Vasyavani, Karkarmundi and Galulathu in the list. It also called for the revision of State government’s creamy layer policy to enhance the income limit of backward classes from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh per annum and the amendments to the Karnataka State Cooperative Societies Act to provide reservation to backward classes.

The Commission, reportedly not in the best of terms with the BJP government in the State, had first submitted the report to the Governor. Dwarakanath had been accusing B S Yeddyurappa government of being against a centrally-sponsored caste survey in the state. In response, the CM’s political secretary, B J Puttaswamy, had accused Dwarakanath of exceeding his limits.

Other recommendations

* Educational fee concession to students of category-1 of BCs studying in professional courses

* Create separate commission for upliftment and welfare of nomadic tribes and semi-nomadic tribes

* Create a separate secretariat for Backward Classes

* Provide nutritious food to students studying in BC hostels

*Do not implement anti-cow slaughter act as it goes against social and economic interest of poor