Internal quota | Karnataka Governor returns bill to govt, seeks 'further clarifications'

Bengaluru: Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has returned to the government the Bill that provides internal reservation among Scheduled Castes (SC), his office said Friday.

Delay in approving this Bill, passed during the Belagavi session of the legislature last month, may impact recruitment to government jobs.

According to a statement from Lok Bhavan, Gehlot has returned the Karnataka Scheduled Castes (sub-classification) Bill to the government "seeking further clarifications".

The Bill divides the 17 per cent reservation for SCs as per a 6-6-5 formula. Madigas and 15 affiliated castes get 6 per cent reservation (Group A), Holeyas and 18 affiliated castes also get 6 per cent reservation (Group B) and Lambani, Bhovi, Korma, Korcha and 59 'most backward' communities get 5 per cent (Group C). This internal reservation will be considered during recruitment and admissions to state-run educational institutions.

Sources said that Gehlot has asked the government to clarify on concerns raised by SC (Left) leaders, including Chitradurga BJP MP Govind Karjol, that the 6-6-5 formula will create confusion in promotions and other service matters.

Also, the 59 'most backward' SC castes have opposed the 6-6-5 formula as they have been put under Group C alongside Lambanis, Bhovis, Kormas and Korchas. These nomadic SC castes are seeking a separate 1 per cent quota.

Gehlot has also returned to the government Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority and Certain Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, in which a Group-A senior scale officer of the Muzrai department will be appointed as the secretary of various temple authorities. Apparently, a section of KAS officers has objected to this.

Lok Bhavan said it received a total of 22 Bills, of which 19 were approved and sent to the government for publication in the gazette.

The contentious Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill "is under consideration", the Governor's office said.

The Opposition BJP and JD(S) have opposed the Hate Speech Bill, and urged Gehlot not to approve it.