Karnataka to form panel for Scheduled Castes' sub-quota

In a major policy move with political ramifications, the state Cabinet on Monday decided to constitute a commission to prepare a report on providing internal reservation among the Scheduled Castes (SC) while freezing all upcoming recruitments for at least three months until the matter is settled.

The commission, which will be headed by a retired high court judge, will be asked to submit its report in three months. Importantly, the commission will be tasked with collecting empirical data, which will hold the key to determine internal reservation.

To demonstrate unity, the Cabinet briefing about the decision was attended by the ruling Congress’s Dalit lawmakers belonging to all groups, including Right and Left.

Briefing reporters, Law & Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said the Cabinet has decided to provide internal reservation in line with the Supreme Court authorising states to carry out sub-classification of SCs.

Following the apex court’s judgment, Telangana and Haryana have announced implementation of internal reservation.

“The one-man commission will be tasked with identifying the source of data that can be used to provide internal reservation,” Patil said, adding that the panel will be given three months to submit its report. “Till such time, all future recruitments will be on hold.”

Social Welfare Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa (SC Right) said the constitution of a new commission was not a tactic to buy time. “We want to ensure justice to all 101 Scheduled Castes,” he said, pointing out that all sub-groups have come together “for the first time” to discuss the issue.

He said that the terms of reference for the panel will contain clarity on empirical data.

The SC Left leaders have been agitating for internal quotas while the SC Right, Bhovis, Lambanis and others were wary.

The Left leaders wanted Justice AJ Sadashiva Commission’s report to be implemented.

Mahadevappa pointed out that the previous BJP government had rejected the Sadashiva panel’s report.

Using its own methodology, the previous BJP government recommended to the Union government an internal reservation of 6 per cent for SC Left, 5.5 per cent for SC Right, 4.5 per cent for Banjara, Bhovi, Korcha, Kuruma, etc. and 1 per cent for others.

Food & Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa, an SC Left who has been pushing for an internal quota, said he “wholeheartedly” welcomed the Cabinet decision. “Our community has fought for this for 30-35 years,” he said and urged all Dalit groups to stand with the government.

RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge, an SC Right, underlined the importance of empirical data. “It must be exhaustive, qualitative and quantitative. Data will have to stand the test of law,” he said.