15% quota for minorities in housing schemes not new decision: Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Housing and Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan on Friday said that the decision to reserve 15 per cent in housing schemes for the minority community is not a new one, as it was recommended back in 2019 by a cabinet sub-committee formed during the Congress-JD(S) coalition government led by then Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.
He clarified that, as per the Sachar Committee report, the central government already provides 15 per cent reservation for minorities in housing schemes, and there was a demand to implement a similar model in the state as well. Hence the central model has been adopted.
The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to enhance the reservation for minorities under various housing schemes in the state from 10 to 15 per cent, a move which the opposition BJP has slammed, calling it "unconstitutional" and "appeasement".
"The cabinet sub-committee that was constituted during the 2019 coalition government has made this recommendation. Now, the proposal has been brought before the cabinet and approved. The existing reservation of 10 per cent has now been increased to 15 per cent," Khan said in a statement.
He said a large number of poor families exist within the minority community and many are without proper housing, and therefore, there was a longstanding demand to increase the reservation percentage.
The minister also pointed out that the National Commission for Minorities in 2021 had recommended the implementation of a 15 per cent reservation.
"Without understanding these factual points, the opposition parties are making unnecessary criticisms, which is not appropriate," he added.
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Priyanka Gandhi urges Nitin Gadkari to expedite road projects in Kerala's Wayanad
Wayanad/New Delhi (PTI): Congress MP from Wayanad Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday said she met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, seeking his intervention to expedite pending road infrastructure works in her constituency, including those aimed at addressing landslide issues at the Thamarassery pass.
Sharing photographs of the meeting on the social media platform 'X', Priyanka said Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, heard her concerns and sought updates from the relevant officials.
In her post, she expressed hope that the pressing issues she raised, which directly affect public safety and daily life, would receive the attention and urgency they deserve.
“Met respected Gadkari to raise issues concerning my constituency, Wayanad, and urged that pending works be expedited without further delay. He was kind enough to hear my concerns and get updates from the relevant officers,” she said.
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“I sincerely hope these pressing issues, which directly affect people’s safety and daily lives, will receive the attention and urgency they deserve,” she added.
A day earlier, Priyanka had sought an appointment with Gadkari in Parliament, saying she had been seeking an opportunity since June to discuss issues related to her constituency.
Responding to her request, the minister had said his doors were always open and that she could meet him at any time.
She subsequently met him at his office later the same day.
Met respected Shri @nitin_gadkari to raise issues concerning my constituency, Wayanad, and urged that pending works be expedited without further delay.
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) December 19, 2025
He was kind enough to hear my concerns and get an update from the relevant officers.
I sincerely hope these pressing issues… pic.twitter.com/UkxnXP6gxn
