Latest news with #Siddaramaiah-led
Indian Express
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Why Siddaramaiah govt may hit a hurdle in its bid to roll out Dalit sub-quotas
The Congress-led Karnataka government is likely to take a crucial decision this week with regard to the party's pre-poll promise of granting internal reservations to 101 sub-groups in the Scheduled Castes (SCs) category. The Siddaramaiah-led government is facing the challenge of dividing the existing 17% reservation for the SCs in government jobs and public education between its sub-groups based on their backwardness. A report on the social, economic and educational situation among the SCs in Karnataka, prepared by the Commission headed by retired high court judge Justice H N Nagamohan Das, was submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on August 4. The report was accepted by the state Cabinet in a meeting held on August 7. 'In a short span of time, a scientific survey (on the SCs), which covered nearly 95% of the state's population, has been presented. The report has been given to all ministers and the Cabinet, while accepting it, has asked for it to be studied. A special Cabinet meeting will be held on August 16 and a decision will be taken on it,' Law Minister H K Patil said after the August 7 meeting. The survey on the SC sub-groups, held on the recommendation of the Justice Das Commission, has found the total Dalit population in Karnataka to be 1,07,01,982. After the removal of 1,77,662 Buda Jangam-Beda Jangam members, whose inclusion among Dalits had stirred a row, and 14,449 people who married non-SC persons, the total SC count in the state has been pegged at 1,05,09,871. According to the 2011 Census, the SCs made up 16.64% of Karnataka's 6.11 crore population. The Justice Das Commission has recommended for classifying the SC sub-groups into five categories – SC Left (Madigas), SC Right (Holeyas), 'touchable communities like Banjaras and Bhovis (classified as tribes in other states), small groups listed as 'others', and a new 'Category E'– instead of the existing four. 'Each category has many castes. If the 17% reservation available for SCs in Karnataka is to be distributed to these sub-groups, it should be done according to their population,' the Commission stated in its report. However, noting that the goal of social justice cannot be achieved if reservation is granted only based on population, the panel stated, 'In addition to population, the quota should be determined keeping in mind the educational, occupational and social backwardness.' The panel has recommended 1% reservation for Category A, which comprises 58 sub-groups whose population makes up 3.97% of the SC population and 6% quota for Category B (SC Left group) which is considered the most backward and makes up 34.91% of the SC population with 18 sub-groups. The Commission has called for 5% reservation for Category C (SC Right group) – considered less backward and more politically established which makes up 28.63% of the SC count with 17 sub-groups – and 4% quota for Category D (SC 'touchables'), which makes up 26.97% of the Dalit population with four sub-groups. The panel has also recommended 1% quota for Category E, which accounts for 4.52% of the Dalit population and has been categorised under three broad sub-groupings – Adi Dravida, Adi Andhra and Adi Karnataka. 'In the last 75 years, some SC sub-groups have been empowered to some extent through reservations but the life of some people from these same groups is still miserable with low education levels,' the panel noted in its report. Observing that some castes that have received the benefits of reservation have seen 'educational, occupational, political, economic and social mobility but some have not been able to get the benefit of reservation at all,' the panel said, 'Those who are better off have to make sacrifices for those who are less fortunate than them. The hungry should be fed first… In accordance with this policy, the quota of reservation should be distributed on priority.' Terming the data collected in the caste count as 'dynamic', the panel recommended a review of internal reservation according to the changing situation. 'The Karnataka government has taken steps to conduct a fresh caste survey. Similarly, the Union government has initiated the process of conducting a Census and a caste census. If there are significant discrepancies in the data, the reservation for SCs in the state can be revised,' the report said. The Commission also called for age relaxation for the SC members who have lost out on job opportunities owing to the Karnataka government halting recruitment in government services since October 2024 pending a decision on internal reservation. 'Some SC communities are enjoying the benefits of reservation by obtaining caste certificates of Adi Andhra, Adi Karnataka and Adi Dravida. Some of them know their original caste. For example, Manna, Kembatti, Mera, Madiga Dasari etc. However, their original names are not included in the SC list. The government should study this and take steps to include the names of these castes in the SC list,' the panel noted. Justice Nagamohan Das Commission The Justice Das Commission, constituted to study and submit a report on the internal reservations for SCs, submitted an interim report on March 27 and asked for a fresh SC survey citing lack of accurate data. Subsequently, the Siddaramaiah government held a door-to-door SC survey between May 5 and July 6, which covered 27,24,768 Dalit households. In August last year, the Supreme Court had allowed internal reservation among the SCs and the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in jobs and education to provide better support for the more disadvantaged groups. The demand for the SC survey has been made to ascertain the population of each sub-group to decide sub-quotas accordingly amid claims that a large slice of their quota was being cornered by upwardly mobile SC sub-castes like Holeyas, Banjaras and Bhovis. BJP's sub-quota bid In March 2023, the previous BJP government, enhanced reservation for the SCs from 15% to 17% by granting 6% of the reservation to the SC Left, 5.5% to SC Right, 4.5% to 'touchables', and 1% to other SC groups. Its basis was the 2011 Census numbers and some aspects of the 2012 Justice A J Sadashiva Commission report. Some of the most backward SC sub-groups like Madigas have been demanding the implementation of the Justice Sadashiva Commission report, which recommended 6% reservation for the SC Left group, 5% for SC Right, 3% for 'touchables' and 1% for others. This panel found that a majority of the reservation for SCs in Karnataka was being availed by sub-groups like Holeyas, Bhovis and Lambanis while most backward groups like Madigas remained 'deprived'. The BJP's move backfired to an extent as Bhovis and Banjaras went against the party in the 2023 Assembly polls over the reduction in their reservation from 15% to 4.5%. The sub-quotas, however, never saw the light of day then as the mandate for changing internal quotas was then with the Centre. The Siddaramaiah government's rationale behind setting up the Justice Das panel was that internal reservation to SCs given on the basis of population – like the Sadashiva panel report – is not likely to stand the legal test for want of proper data, as mandated by the top court. 'In the wake of a three-decade-old demand, the Cabinet has agreed in principle to grant internal reservation to SCs. The government has decided to take all 101 sub-groups into confidence and scientifically implement an internal quota,' Siddaramaiah had said after his Cabinet approved the setting up of the Justice Das panel. Challenge before Congress The issue is a tricky one for the state Congress, which has traditionally drawn support from the SC Right group, to which many of its prominent leaders like AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Home Minister G Parameshwara and Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa belong. While the SC Left group has backed the Congress in the past, several sub-groups have drifted towards the BJP citing lack of political representation. The group, which has benefited most from the SC quota, is likely to resist any sub-quota move by the Siddaramaiah government. To buy time on the issue, the Siddaramaiah government is likely to refer the Justice Das panel's report to a Cabinet sub-committee.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Water woes: Tungabhadra dam faces water loss and upgrade delays
Crest Gate Replacement In A Limbo; Balancing Reservoir Needed Munirabad (Koppal): It has been a year since the 19th crest gate of the Tungabhadra reservoir was swept away on Aug 10, 2024. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Still, there are no signs that the old crest gates will be replaced. Due to the deteriorated condition of all 33 crest gates, the current water storage is limited to 80 tmcft, when compared to the total capacity of 101 tmcft. However, there are accusations that the Tungabhadra Board is still engaged in finalising the tender process. By the end of July, over 100 tmcft flowed into Andhra Pradesh. However, chief engineer L Basavaraj assures that the crest gates will be replaced soon. "Favourable monsoon conditions maintained water flow into the Tungabhadra River throughout July. Given the good rainfall, another 100 tmcft of water is likely to flow out," stated Tungabhadra Board sources. The , constructed 71 years ago, initially had a storage capacity of 133 tmcft. However, with half a tmcft of silt deposited annually, the dam's storage capacity decreased to 101 tmcft in the past thirty years. The water loss resulting from silt deposits is the state's allocation. Consequently, a plan was initiated thirty years ago to develop a balancing reservoir near Navali village in Gangavathi taluk for its storage. The detailed project report (DPR) was completed and shared with the authorities of Andhra Pradesh. Technical approval was secured, with only the political decision remaining. Nonetheless, former CM Basavaraj Bommai pointed out during his visit last year that the Siddaramaiah-led state govt has failed to take any action to speed up the process. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He urged the CM to communicate with his counterparts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to advance the construction of the parallel dam, which could save 28 tmcft of water yearly for the state. Considering the annual yield of 400 tmcft from the Tungabhadra dam, the amount of water that will flow into Andhra Pradesh this year is estimated to be 280 tmcft. "Although the state can use half of this, we do not have any dams to store the extra water. If the Navali balancing reservoir was built, we could have expanded our irrigation area by using this water," lamented CA Galeppa, district president of Farmers' Association, Vijayanagara.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
RTE group in Karnataka opposes cut in Class 10 passing marks, says it will degrade edu standards
BENGALURU: The People's Alliance for Fundamental Right to Education (PAFRE) has strongly opposed the Siddaramaiah-led government's amendment to the Karnataka School Examination and Evaluation Board Act, 1966, calling it a threat to the quality of education in the state. The amendment allows Class 10 students to be declared 'passed' if they score at least 33% combined marks in written and internal assessments, and a minimum of 30% in each subject. PAFRE Convener Prof Niranjanaradhya said this move will degrade education standards, making examinations a tick-box exercise rather than a true test of learning. The group warned that reducing pass marks risks weakening already struggling Kannada-medium schools and could undermine the Kannada language and cultural identity. It urged all pro-Kannada organisations to oppose it. 'Instead of addressing deep-rooted issues like teacher shortages and poor infrastructure, the government is lowering the bar to inflate pass percentages,' the group stated in a letter to the Board's president. The coalition highlighted severe staffing gaps and said that many primary schools have no teachers at all, around 8,000 schools operate with only one teacher, often handling multiple classes and subjects, even some high schools have just one teacher and in Kalyana Karnataka, nearly half of all teaching posts remain vacant. In the letter, Niranjanaradhya blamed declining learning levels partly on the diversion of teachers into non-academic duties. 'Teachers are increasingly engaged in administrative and extracurricular tasks,' he said. He asked the government to provide basic facilities and ensure that teachers can focus solely on teaching.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Yawning DCM, sleeping CM': BJP attacks Karnataka govt over DK Shivakumar's ‘yawn' moment
The ruling Congress in Karnataka has come under a scrutinizing lens after a viral video caught the Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, stifling a yawn when quizzed by reporters about deadlines for repairing Bengaluru's battered roads. The clip, shared by Times of India, shows Shivakumar responding with a conspicuous yawn when asked if officials had been given any timeline to repair the city's pothole-ridden streets. The opposition BJP criticized the government's handling of ongoing traffic and infrastructure issues in Bengaluru, exacerbating public frustration over persistent road woes. ALSO READ | Bengaluru saree shop's ChatGPT-style display ad goes viral, fascinates the internet The opposition BJP jumped at the opportunity to criticize the party and its leaders, attacking their governance in what turned out to be a political slugfest on social media. Leader of Opposition R Ashoka took to social media platform X to post, 'Yawning DCM, Sleeping CM – God save Karnataka and Bengaluru.' ALSO READ | Bengaluru metro's yellow line to open on Aug 10: Check stations, timings and fare The Siddaramaiah-led government in Karnataka has been under pressure over its handling of civic issues, incessant traffic and road woes in Bengaluru. The city has been dealing with substandard infrastructure, delayed construction projects and urban gridlock for the past many years. ALSO READ | Karnataka cracks down on used cooking oil ahead of Ganesha festival to promote safer food practices: Report Major routes such as Outer Ring Road, Silk Board and Whitefield are frequently listed among the worst affected by traffic jams and poor maintenance. Ongoing Metro construction and sporadic rainfall also contribute to near-daily gridlocks and dangerous driving conditions, leading to persistent public frustration. With city authorities struggling to keep up with rapid urbanization, unpredictable weather, and soaring vehicle numbers, pothole-free roads are a distant fantasy for many residents.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Priyank Kharge, Sharan Prakash Patil accused of ignoring demands of Ediga community
National president of the Arya Ediga Kendra Samiti and Peethadhipathi of Brahmashree Narayana Guru Shakti Peetha at Kardal village in Kalaburagi district Pranavananda Swami has urged Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge to lead a delegation of Ediga community leaders to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urging him to consider the long-pending demands of the community. Addressing presspersons in Kalaburagi on Monday, the swamiji recalled that Mr. Kharge and Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil visited the community's protest venue and expressed their solidarity when he launched an indefinite hunger strike in Kalaburagi in 2022 demanding the then BJP government to fulfill their demands. But now both Mr. Kharge and Dr. Patil have turned a deaf ear to the community's long-pending demands, he said. Their demands included lifting a ban on toddy tapping, providing two acres of land for cultivation to each Ediga family, allocating ₹500 crore funds to the Brahmashree Narayana Guru Corporation for the welfare of Ediga and Billava communities, installation of a Sri Narayana Guru statue in front of the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, establishment of study centres in the names of Sri Narayana Guru and Hendada Marayya in the Gulbarga University and also celebrating the birth anniversary of 12th century social reformer Hendada Marayya as a State function. Accusing the Siddaramaiah-led State government of discriminating against the community by inducting only one legislator belonging to the Ediga community into the Cabinet, the seer demanded that the State government induct one more legislator from the community into the Cabinet. If the State government continues to neglect the demands of the Ediga community, prominent leaders from the community will float a new political party in the State, he said. Advice to youths Accusing political parties of misusing youths as tools of violence in the name of caste and religion to disrupt peace in society, the swamiji appealed to the youths of Ediga community to stay away from such harmful influences. He urged the youths of Ediga community to follow the ideologies of Sri Narayana Guru and contribute to society's progress.
