Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet has approved internal reservation within Scheduled Castes, fixing a 5.25:5.25:4.5 ratio for left-hand, right-hand and other communities, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah calling it a major step towards equitable justice.
Addressing a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Siddaramaiah said the decision was taken in line with court directives capping total reservation at 50%. Under the revised structure, 15% reservation has been earmarked for Scheduled Castes and 3% for Scheduled Tribes.
He said the earlier 17% SC quota, which was divided in a 6:6:5 ratio, has now been recalibrated to suit the 15% limit. Based on revised calculations, the Cabinet finalised 5.25% each for left- and right-hand communities, and 4.5% for other groups, including Bovi, Lambani, Koracha, Korama and 59 nomadic communities.
Siddaramaiah expressed confidence that the decision would ensure fair distribution of benefits and said the new internal reservation structure would be implemented in upcoming recruitment. He added that a 6% component will be treated as backlog until courts deliver a final verdict on the overall reservation framework.
The CM said the move follows directions from the Supreme Court of India allowing states to decide on internal reservation. A one-member commission headed by retired Justice Nagamohan Das had earlier recommended sub-classification within SCs. However, citing the Indra Sawhney case, courts reiterated that total reservation should not exceed 50%, prompting a revision of the earlier plan that took total reservation to 56%.
To address the issue, a technical committee led by the Chief Secretary submitted a report, based on which the Cabinet took the final decision within the permissible limit.
The government also reiterated that 56,432 posts will be filled this year, with notifications to be issued shortly. As part of the plan, 20% of posts under Category C will be reserved for 59 nomadic communities, now aligned within the 4.5% quota.
Siddaramaiah said the decision fulfils a long-pending demand of SC communities, recalling that representatives of over 100 SC groups and 59 nomadic communities had backed internal reservation at a convention in Chitradurga. He added that the government remains committed to ensuring equal opportunity and expressed confidence that the move will be widely welcomed.
