<p>The B S Yediyurappa-led Cabinet is expected Friday to decide on bringing the dominant Veerashaiva-Lingayat community under the central list of other backward classes (OBC).</p>.<p>This is on the agenda for the Cabinet meeting scheduled to be held on Friday morning, according to sources.</p>.<p>At present, Veerashaiva-Lingayats are considered backward class in Karnataka and come under Category 3B with a 5% reservation. Their inclusion as OBC in the Central list will mean 27% reservation in Central government services and Central educational institutions. Only some sub-castes of Veerashaiva-Lingayats come under the central OBC list at present. In fact, the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha has been pressing for this.</p>.<p>Bringing the community under the central OBC list will require a formal recommendation from the state government to the Centre.</p>.<p>This move could have political ramifications, especially for Yediyurappa amid buzz that he could be replaced. Yediyurappa, a Lingayat himself, will look to further consolidate his standing within the community that is estimated to form about 16% of the state's population.</p>.<p>Earlier this month, Yediyurappa ordered the establishment of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat Development Corporation and allocated Rs 500 crore for it.</p>.<p>On Thursday, Yediyurappa huddled with Lingayat ministers apparently to discuss an issue pertaining to reservation for the community.</p>.<p>After Friday's Cabinet meeting, Yediyurappa is slated to address a news conference where he is expected to make a major announcement.</p>
<p>The B S Yediyurappa-led Cabinet is expected Friday to decide on bringing the dominant Veerashaiva-Lingayat community under the central list of other backward classes (OBC).</p>.<p>This is on the agenda for the Cabinet meeting scheduled to be held on Friday morning, according to sources.</p>.<p>At present, Veerashaiva-Lingayats are considered backward class in Karnataka and come under Category 3B with a 5% reservation. Their inclusion as OBC in the Central list will mean 27% reservation in Central government services and Central educational institutions. Only some sub-castes of Veerashaiva-Lingayats come under the central OBC list at present. In fact, the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha has been pressing for this.</p>.<p>Bringing the community under the central OBC list will require a formal recommendation from the state government to the Centre.</p>.<p>This move could have political ramifications, especially for Yediyurappa amid buzz that he could be replaced. Yediyurappa, a Lingayat himself, will look to further consolidate his standing within the community that is estimated to form about 16% of the state's population.</p>.<p>Earlier this month, Yediyurappa ordered the establishment of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat Development Corporation and allocated Rs 500 crore for it.</p>.<p>On Thursday, Yediyurappa huddled with Lingayat ministers apparently to discuss an issue pertaining to reservation for the community.</p>.<p>After Friday's Cabinet meeting, Yediyurappa is slated to address a news conference where he is expected to make a major announcement.</p>
