Cabinet to discuss internal reservation while filling govt vacancies: Karnataka minister
Bengaluru(PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Thursday that the state cabinet is likely to discuss the issue of providing internal reservation while filling vacancies in the government sector.
There is a rift between SC (Right) and SC (Left) factions within the ruling Congress over providing internal reservation during the recruitment that has been announced.
The state government decided to conduct recruitment for 56,432 vacant jobs based on the reservation order in force before December 28, 2022 (15 per cent for SCs and 3 per cent for STs), due to the stay on the enhanced quota and internal reservation, while continuing to pursue its case in court.
The previous BJP government had increased the reservation quota for SCs from 15 per cent to 17 per cent and for Scheduled Tribes from 3 per cent to 7 per cent, raising the state’s total reservation to 56 per cent, exceeding the Supreme Court-mandated 50 per cent ceiling.
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While this is still under litigation, the Congress government decided to provide internal reservation within the 17 per cent quota for SCs based on the 6:6:5 formula.
According to sources, the SC (Left)/Madiga community, which has fought for internal reservation for decades, opposed the decision to recruit 56,432 jobs without providing internal reservation.
The SC (Right)/Holeya community, however, favoured recruitment without internal reservation.
“The government has already taken a decision to provide internal reservation. There are issues with the classification, stating that one section receives priority while preparing the roster. It will be discussed again in the cabinet and decided. Since the cabinet made the earlier decision, any amendment to it should be made in the cabinet itself,” Parameshwara told reporters.
Responding to a question regarding the demand from SC (Left) for internal reservation within the 15 per cent SC quota during recruitment, he said, “This needs to be discussed in the cabinet.”
Asked about differences within the cabinet on internal reservation, Parameshwara said, “There will always be differences of opinion, and all ministers will share their views in the cabinet. But the cabinet will take a decision in the larger interest.”
Responding to a question about the BJP demanding that the government fill vacancies under the overall 56 per cent reservation while considering internal reservation among SCs, Parameshwara said: “The BJP is playing politics.”
“They are also aware that a 56 per cent reservation cannot be provided currently. For political reasons, they are instigating. It is politics. Everyone knows they are doing politics,” he said, adding that the government will act consciously within the framework of law.
Some senior SC ministers and leaders met with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday to discuss the internal reservation issue.
Replying to a question on this, Parameshwara said, “We have brought the matter to his notice as he is the AICC President, not as a leader representing us (SC community).”
He also clarified that no other matters were discussed during the meeting with Kharge.
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Actor Rahul's death: Film body demands fair probe, files police complaint
Kolkata (PTI): Amidst the controversy over the accidental death of actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee during an outdoor shoot near Digha in Purba Medinipur district, the West Bengal Motion Picture Artists' Forum on Saturday lodged a police complaint against the producers in connection with the incident.
Senior forum members, including actors Prosenjit Chatterjee and Santilal Mukherjee, told a press meet outside Regent Park police station that the complaint called for a fair and transparent probe into the tragedy.
"We want the real truth and exact circumstances behind the incident to come to light," a forum member said. Actor Rituparna Sengupta was also present at the briefing.
Banerjee's wife, Priyanka Sarkar, was also present but did not speak to the media.
"On March 29, during the shooting of television serial 'Bholey Baba Par Karega' at Talsari near Digha, our colleague and forum member, actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, tragically passed away due to an accidental drowning," the forum said in a statement on Friday night.
"In this regard, the forum, on behalf of its members, sought legal advice to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding the incident. Accordingly, a formal letter was sent to the production house.... on April 1 seeking clarification," the statement said.
"However, the response received on April 2 was found to be unsatisfactory and inadequate. Since then, various opinions and concerns have also been expressed on social media regarding the incident," the forum said.
Mukherjee said in light of this, and after further legal consultation, the forum has decided to initiate legal proceedings.
Chatterjee said the forum would consult lawyers to decide the next course of action.
Meanwhile, several members of the Bengali film industry held a procession from Technicians' Studio to Radha Studio, a distance of around 1 km, carrying placards reading 'Justice for Rahul'.
The rally was led by several known faces of the industry, including actor-director Aparna Sen, Anjan Dutt, director Srijit Mukherjee, Kaushik Ganguly, actor-director Parambrata Chatterjee, actor Rudranil Ghosh, actor Riddhi Sen, actor-theatre personality Kaushik Sen, among others.
The rally was supported by technician federation director Swarup Biswas.
Earlier, the makers of 'Bholey Baba Par Karega' had expressed grief over Banerjee’s death and assured that the circumstances surrounding the incident would be examined transparently.
"The entire cast and crew are in profound mourning. We request a few days to gather accounts of those present so that a comprehensive and accurate report can be presented," the producers had said, adding that a representative nominated by the actor’s family or the forum could observe the process.
Police officials said according to eyewitness accounts, Banerjee and a co-actor were filming a dance sequence in knee-deep water when they slipped into an underwater ditch. Both were taken to a hospital in Digha, but Banerjee could not be saved.
Banerjee rose to fame with the 2008 Bengali film 'Chirodini Tumi Je Amar', directed by Raj Chakraborty, which starred him opposite Priyanka Sarkar and became a major hit.
Rahul, who had started his career in early 2000, acted in several critically acclaimed Bengali films and TV soaps after the blockbuster success of Chirodini in 2008 and also started hosting a podcast which gained popularity.
