Copyright thehindu
Under pressure from the Dalit Left groups to implement the internal reservation matrix in public employment and education at the earliest, the Karnataka government is getting ready to provide legislative teeth to implement the decades-old demand. Government sources said that The Karnataka Scheduled Castes (Sub-classification) Bill, 2025, which is ready, will be piloted in the Winter Session of the legislature. A source aware of developments said that there was initially a proposal to promulgate an Ordinance, but was dropped as the government was not sure if the Governor would agree to it. “A Bill passed by the legislature after extensive discussions would help convince the Governor,” he said. The legislation has been readied to provide internal reservation for 101 Scheduled Castes grouped under three categories. The proposed legislation will cover backlog vacancies, fixation of roster points for Scheduled Castes in both vertical and horizontal reservation for appointments in State civil services, and other establishments of the local authority or corporation or other body. Demand from the Dalit Left groups, however, is to include internal reservation in apportioning funds under SC Special Component Plan, and reservation in representation in local bodies. Issues under discussion On Wednesday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Cabinet Ministers from the Dalit Left and Right communities to discuss the modalities in implementing the internal reservation and address the challenges before it. Among the issues discussed, it is learnt, were formation of roster for recruitment and promotion, and provision of caste certificates to over 44 lakh persons who are currently holding Adi Karnataka, Adi Dravida, and Adi Andhra certificates. A note from the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Chief Minister directed the officials to ensure that no caste is let down in the drawing of roster and every community’s voice is heard before drawing up the roster. Following the recommendations of the commission headed by retired judge H.N. Nagamohan Das, the State Cabinet on August 19 agreed to an internal reservation providing 6% each to Dalit Left and Right while providing 5% to Lambani, Bhovi, Korama, and Koracha communities. Though the commission recommended 1% to 59 nomadic and semi-nomadic castes, including 49 microscopic castes, the government brought these castes with Lambanis and others. Sources said that it was felt that a government order to provide effect to the internal reservation could face legal hurdles. The High Court is hearing a petition filed by persons from nomadic castes questioning the reservation matrix. The petition is coming up for hearing on November 5. AK/AD/AA trouble Meanwhile, sources said that delay in commencing issue of caste certificates to replace the existing AD/ AK/ AA certificates also figured during the meeting. It is learnt that about 44 lakh persons in Karnataka hold AD/AK/ AA certificates though nearly 40 lakh of them identified with their original castes during the survey conducted by the Das Commission. About 4.7 lakh persons who do not know their original castes have continued to identify in the category. “Those who know their original castes need to get fresh certificates since it is crucial in implementing internal reservation. Those who do not know their original caste have been given a one-time opportunity to identify either with the Dalit Left category or the Dalit right. Though the order came on October 8, people are unable to get the certificates. This in turn could hinder employment opportunities,” said Basavaraj Kowthal, convener of Forum for Justice for Scheduled Castes, welcoming the legislative proposal.
