Karnataka SC/ST Tender: The reservation quota for Scheduled Castes in Karnataka has been increased from 15% to 17%, while for Scheduled Tribes, it has been raised from 3% to 7%. After increasing the reservation quota percentage, the ruling BJP in Karnataka has attempted to gain support from key SC/ST communities. The tender work limit for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe contractors has been raised from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore. This move was made just before the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct in the state following the announcement of the assembly election dates. The State SC/ST Contractors Association had been demanding an increase in the ceiling from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore for several years.
The association welcomed the decision of the ruling BJP government, stating, “This will help contractors from the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe communities compete with higher-budget contractors and advance financially.”
Reservation was introduced for empowerment
The Congress government led by Siddaramaiah introduced reservation in public tender works to economically empower oppressed classes. Out of a ₹50 lakh budget, 24.10% of public works were reserved for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe contractors. The BJP-led Karnataka government passed an ordinance to increase the tender work limit for SC/ST contractors just before the Model Code of Conduct came into effect in the state.
Approval was granted to increase reservation
Last year, the Bommai government in Karnataka approved an ordinance to increase reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Under this, SC reservation increased from 15% to 17%, and ST reservation rose from 3% to 7%. The governor’s approval was required to implement the hike, and once granted, the reservation quota in Karnataka was increased.
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