Centre will decide on inclusion of any community to ST list, state only recommends: Siddaramaiah
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Kalaburagi (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the decision to include any community under the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list will be decided by the Centre and the state government will only send the recommendation.
Amid opposition from some ST communities against the proposal to include Kurubas under the Scheduled Tribes list, he said, there is no need for anyone to oppose, and if the community is eligible they will be included.
The Karnataka government is currently mulling inclusion of the Kurubas, the community to which Siddaramaiah belongs, under the ST list.
"This (move) was done during the previous government itself. There is no need for anyone to oppose. The central government will decide. We (state) will only make recommendations," Siddaramaiah said in response to a question on opposition by Valmiki community to the inclusion of Kurubas under ST list.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "There is no need for anyone to oppose. If the community has to come under ST, they will be included. If not, they will not be."
Kurubas currently come under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
They are seen as a dominant OBC community in the state after the Lingayats and Vokkaligas.
Among five OBC categories in Karnataka, who get an overall 32 per cent reservation, Kurubas come under Category 2A which has a 15 per cent quota.
To add any community to ST list, a recommendation has to be made by the state government to the Centre.
Responding to a question on BJP leaders' criticism against him and the government in connection with the social and educational survey (caste census), the CM said, "R Ashoka (Leader of Opposition in Assembly) and BJP speak politically... socio educational survey is being done to know the social and educational status of the people, so that accordingly developmental programmes can be planned."
The state's Social and Educational Survey, popularly known as the 'caste census' will be conducted between September 22 and October 7 at an estimated cost of Rs 420 crore.
On the BJP delegation complaining to the Governor, regarding caste census list, with at least 46 castes that contain dual identities, having both Christian and Hindu caste name, the CM said, "Are they not citizens of this country? Are Christians and Muslims not citizens? Whatever people say their caste is--to the enumerators during the enumeration--it will be entered accordingly."
Highlighting that castes with dual identities like 'Kuruba Christian', 'Brahmin Christian', 'Vokkaliga Christian' among others, may lead to confusion and give opportunity for a large-scale religious conversion, the BJP on Tuesday urged the Governor to intervene and issue necessary instructions to the government.
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Karnataka, France explore deeper ties in AI, aerospace, defence manufacturing
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government and France on Tuesday discussed expanding collaboration to strengthen technology infrastructure and development, artificial intelligence, and defence manufacturing.
Karnataka Information Technology and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge met Anne Le Hénaff, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs, Government of France, in Bengaluru.
The meeting focused on expanding collaboration in innovation, skilling, AI, aerospace and defence manufacturing, startup ecosystems and digital governance, with both sides expressing strong interest in building long-term, structured partnerships between Karnataka and France, according to a statement issued by Kharge’s office.
France highlighted its growing need for skilled engineers and technology professionals and expressed interest in partnering with Karnataka on structured talent development and skilling in emerging technologies, the statement said.
“The discussions built on the strong foundation of Indo-French collaboration in areas such as aerospace, animation and emerging technologies, including earlier engagements through Centres of Excellence, academic partnerships and startup exchange programmes,” it said.
The two sides also reviewed ongoing engagement with French innovation ecosystems and institutions, including incubation and innovation platforms in Paris.
Kharge outlined Karnataka’s vision to create dedicated innovation, skills and manufacturing corridors with global partners, particularly in the context of the Indo-French Year of Innovation.
He highlighted the state’s proposal to strengthen engagement through the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) and to establish a physical institutional platform in Karnataka to support French startups, SMEs and MSMEs seeking market access, R&D collaboration and a long-term presence in India.
“A couple of areas where we can move quickly and decisively are skills, innovation and advanced manufacturing. We can work towards a skills corridor focused on emerging technologies, an innovation corridor linking our Centres of Excellence, incubators and research institutions, and a stronger partnership in aerospace and defence supply chains,” Kharge said.
“Bengaluru can be a gateway for French companies entering India, and Paris can be a gateway for our startups entering France and the European Union,” he added.
Hénaff said France’s approach to AI is guided by three priorities: building sustainable AI, ensuring AI serves the public interest, and strengthening the protection of children in the digital world.
“As we deepen our cooperation with Karnataka, we see strong opportunities to work together on responsible, trustworthy and inclusive AI by combining innovation, regulation and public policy to ensure technology benefits society while safeguarding our values,” she said.
