The Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Friday passed a bill granting 4per cent reservation for Muslims in public contracts, triggering protests from the opposition BJP. The bill extends the quota system in government contracts, which already provides 24.1 per cent reservation for SC/ST contractors and benefits communities under Category 1.
The legislation also raised the cap on eligible contracts from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore, requiring all government departments to adhere to the quota system under the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999 (KTPP Act). This included departments such as rural development, urban development, public works, and health.
What does the Bill say?
The bill stated that 4 per cent of public contracts should be reserved for backward classes classified under Category II(B), without considering income criteria. The government justified the amendment as a step to reduce unemployment among backward classes and increase their participation in public works up to Rs 2 crore.
BJP protests, 18 MLAs suspended
The passage of the bill led to a heated confrontation in the Assembly. Eighteen BJP MLAs were suspended for six months after staging a massive protest against the reservation policy. The legislators stormed the Speaker's podium, threw papers at Speaker U T Khader, and disrupted proceedings.
The opposition also accused the government of attempting to "honey trap" a minister and demanded a judicial probe, even as the Chief Minister addressed the budget discussion.
The suspended BJP MLAs include party chief whip Doddanna Gouda Patil, former ministers C N Ashwath Narayan and S R Vishwanath, along with 15 others.