Delay in law quota: Priyank Kharge offers to resign

Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge is said to have offered to resign at Thursday’s Cabinet meeting stating that the government was not doing much in implementing the provisions of a legislation restoring reservation in promotions for employees belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

According to sources, Kharge raised the issue during the Cabinet meeting, pointing out that President Ram Nath Kovind had already given his assent to the Karnataka Extension of Consequential Seniority to Government Servants Promoted on the Basis of Reservation (To the Posts in the Civil Services of the State) Bill, 2017. The bill aims at sidestepping a Supreme Court directive that struck down reservations for SC/STs in promotions. It is learnt a visibly agitated Kharge is said to have asked why he should remain in office if he is not in a position to protect the interest of SC/STs. Kharge hails from the SC community.

The issue was discussed for nearly 45 minutes during which Kharge got the support of several Congress ministers including Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara. Kharge further pointed out that there was no court stay for implementing the provisions of the legislation. The Supreme Court had only stated that the government should abide by its final verdict.

Finally, the discussion ended with the Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy stating that he will take up issue on a priority basis. When contacted, Kharge refused to comment.