No differences within govt on internal reservation, decision soon: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday said there were no differences within the ruling Congress on the internal reservation issue and that the government would take a final decision in the upcoming Cabinet meeting after resolving certain technical aspects.
Speaking to reporters here, he said discussions were still underway to work out proportional distribution of reservation after the total quota was brought down from 56 per cent to 50 per cent following court directions.
"There are no factions at all. Not two, not three—there are no factions. Where is the question of factions? Different people express different opinions. Just because someone expresses an opinion does not mean it becomes a faction," Parameshwara said, dismissing speculation about divisions within the party.
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He said that after the Nagamohan Das report was submitted, the government retained the 56 per cent base and created three categories of internal reservation— six per cent for SC left, six per cent for SC right and five per cent for ‘touchables’/others —and that the proposal had not faced opposition at the time.
However, he noted that the court later ruled that reservations could not exceed 50 per cent as per the ceiling fixed in the Indra Sawhney case.
"Based on that order, the six per cent for SC left, six per cent for SC right and five per cent categorisation (‘touchables’/others) we had made earlier now needs to be recalculated proportionately after bringing the total reservation down to 50 per cent. We need to work out how to distribute the reservation proportionately," he said.
Parameshwara insisted that the government was ensuring that no confusion arises in the roster system or during promotions.
The minister said the issue involved multiple communities, including Bhovis, Lambanis, Korachas, Koramas and nomadic groups, and discussions were also held on providing a separate reservation for nomadic communities.
"Taking all these aspects into account, we will take a final decision in the next Cabinet meeting," he said.
On reports that the issue could affect government recruitment, Parameshwara clarified that the matter was only technical.
The government, he said, has decided to fill over 56,000 posts, as announced by the chief minister in the Budget.
"When we issue the notification, we have to clearly specify the reservation categories. We cannot announce reservation after issuing the notification. For example, if we announce 10,000 posts, we must define beforehand how many posts go to which category. We are currently working out these details technically," he said.
He also accused opposition BJP and its ally JD(S) of trying to derive political advantage from the issue, asserting that the government would respond politically if required.
Responding to questions about a breakfast meeting at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the minister said there was nothing secretive about the discussions.
Earlier in the day, Parameshwara was at Minister K H Muniyappa’s residence to wish him on his birthday. The two leaders later discussed the internal reservation among the Dalits.
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Liquor worth over Rs 42 cr seized along Gujarat borders in two years, govt informs assembly
Ahmedabad (PTI): Liquor worth more than Rs 42 crore was seized from checkposts along Gujarat's borders with Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in the past two years, the state government informed the assembly on Monday.
Gujarat is a dry state where prohibition is in force.
Replying to a question by Congress MLA Imran Khedawala, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, who handles the Home portfolio, said 10,49,855 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth Rs 38.89 crore and 1,59,265 bottles of beer worth Rs 3.33 crore were seized in a two-year period ending January 25.
The seizures were made at checkposts located along the borders with Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, which are often used for smuggling liquor into Gujarat, Sanghavi said in his written reply, adding that 1,018 accused persons have been arrested so far and 141 are absconding.
Replying to a question raised by AAP MLA Gopal Italia, Sanghavi said more than 32,000 of cases have been registered against people found consuming liquor without permit in Ahmedabad and Vadodara districts over the past two years.
According to the data shared in the Assembly, 17,311 cases were registered against persons found consuming liquor without permit in Ahmedabad district, while 15,154 such cases were recorded in Vadodara district as of December 31, 2025.
The minister said the police have also taken various preventive measures against those supplying liquor to such consumers. These include increased patrolling in areas where people are repeatedly found consuming liquor, as well as prohibition drives conducted at the city, district and state levels.
Sanghavi said individuals frequently involved in illegal liquor activities are declared as "listed bootleggers", after which periodic raids are carried out against them.
If such persons continue to indulge in prohibition-related offences, strict measures such as cases under prohibition provisions, externment and action under Prevention of Anti-Social Activities (PASA) Act are initiated against them, he added.
Separate cases are also registered against those found supplying or manufacturing liquor illegally, Sanghavi told the assembly.
