Internal reservation: Karnataka govt to go for survey of SCs to gather empirical data
Bengaluru, Mar 27 (PTI): Accepting Justice H N Nagmohan Das Commission's interim report, the Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday decided to go for a survey of Scheduled Castes (SCs) in the state, to decide on internal reservation among them.
The one-man commission of the retired High Court judge submitted the interim report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah earlier in the day, just ahead of the Cabinet meeting.
The government has been under pressure from SC communities and from within the ruling Congress party to implement internal reservation at the earliest, for which empirical data is needed, and the government has decided to go by the recommendation of the commission to gather the data.
The internal reservation is aimed at slicing up the 17 per cent reservation matrix given to 101 scheduled castes.
"The Cabinet has accepted the interim report submitted by Justice Nagmohan Das Commission," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said.
Briefing reporters about the Cabinet's decision, he said to ensure that the internal reservation process happens at a fast pace, it has been decided to request Justice Nagmohan Das Commission to oversee new survey and gathering of data.
"The commission has suggested that 40 days is required for the survey to be completed. Naturally it may take five to ten days for preparation, so it has been decided to extend the commission's tenure by two months, for it to complete the process and submit the report within 60 days--two months," he added.
Noting that the commission has made four major recommendations, Patil said they include conducting a fresh survey and gathering of data for scientific classification of sub castes among SCs in Karnataka; and that, using advanced scientific and technological devices, a new survey can be done in 30-40 days.
"It has also recommended for preparing a required questionnaire for a fresh survey, and constituting a high-level committee to oversee mobilisation of resources for the survey is to be conducted, and training of the staff required for it; and provisioning among the sub castes of SCs from quantum of reservation that is available by following the criterion mentioned in the report, on the basis of the data gathered from the new survey."
A section of SCs, especially 'SC Left', have been demanding internal reservation, alleging that only a few influential sub-castes were taking away a majority of the benefits, while many communities were still marginalised.
The government, in November last year, appointed Justice Nagmohan Das to head a commission to recommend internal reservation among SCs, after the Supreme Court last year allowed the states to provide internal reservation, and the State Cabinet agreed to implement internal reservation.
In a landmark verdict delivered by the Supreme Court on August 1 last year, it held that states are constitutionally empowered to make sub-classifications within the SCs, which form a socially heterogeneous class, for granting reservation for the uplift of castes that are socially and educationally more backward.
Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa, responding to a question, said survey can be done in 40-45 days using advanced technologies. There are 6,000 panchayats and more than 300 urban local bodies, and a host of officials to manage things, he said.
"The Chief Secretary is holding a meeting with top officials in this regard, and the Cabinet has asked them to do it on a war footing, under the Chief Secretary's suprivision," he said.
Rejecting any "time pass or dodging of time" with the fresh survey, Mahadevappa said the government and the ruling Congress party are committed to providing internal reservation among SCs.
"If the data is scientifically accurate, there won't be any problem in the future. In Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana and other states they (internal reservation decisions) have landed in court, it should not happen. Things should be pucca and benefit people. That's our intention," he added.
To a question on the need for a fresh survey, and whether the Census data was not available, Mahadevappa said, "Four major groups among SCs are not there in the census. If we don't include that data, it may be challenged in the court of law. That's the reason why we want a fresh census within stipulated time."
Earlier in the day, Justice Nagmohan Das, after submitting the interim report to the chief minister, said, "After in-depth study for more than two months by me and my team, I have submitted a 104-page report. The report was not submitted hurriedly. The government in fact has not asked us to submit the interim report, we have voluntarily given it."
Asked by reporters whether the interim report was a delay tactic, the retired judge said he doesn't think so. "Giving a permanent solution to them (those waiting for internal reservation) is my intention..."
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Manipur conflict result of illegal immigration, drug menace: Biren Singh
Imphal (PTI): Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Monday claimed that the conflict in the state was a result of multiple challenges including drugs, illegal immigration and the destruction of forests.
In a post on X, Singh also took a swipe at Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, asking him if he was aware of the alarming rise in the number of illegal villages in the state.
More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in Manipur in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. Amid rumblings within the state BJP seeking a change of leadership in strife-torn Manipur, N Biren Singh resigned as chief minister on February 9 and he quit hours after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Centre had imposed President’s rule in the state on February 13 after N Biren Singh resigned as chief minister.
"The present crisis is not political at its core and stems from a complex mix of challenges including the drug menace, illegal immigration, destruction of forests, and the systematic pursuit of power by select groups," Singh said.
Claiming that late P A Sangma once advocated for dividing the Northeast into smaller states along ethnic lines, a dangerous idea that threatened the unity of our nation, he said, "Today we are seeing similar attempts to interfere in Manipur’s internal affairs to destabilise the state."
"It must be noted that when Manipur was facing these serious challenges, others refrained from interfering in our internal affairs. The same courtesy was expected, yet some chose a different path, one driven by narrow interests rather than genuine concern," he claimed.
"Today, various groups across the Northeast are beginning to recognise the seriousness of FMR, ILP and border security. Manipur’s experiences should serve as a lesson, not a platform for political posturing," he said.
Manipur is home to 32 indigenous tribes whose identities, cultures, and ways of life deserve protection, he said.
Refrain from encouraging illegal immigrants or interfering in matters that threaten this delicate balance, the former chief minister said and added that the people of Manipur have endured enough. "Let us live in peace," Singh said.
On the progress made through the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), Singh said, "Shri @SangmaConrad should know that the violence was not spontaneous; it was instigated by those who feel threatened and insecure by this kind of progress."
Earlier in November last year, the Conrad Sangma-led National People's Party (NPP) withdrew support to the BJP-led government in Manipur, alleging that the ruling dispensation has failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy in the violence-hit state.
