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New Indian Express
an hour ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Siddaramaiah plays minority card, hikes housing quota to 15 per cent
BENGALURU: The State Cabinet on Thursday approved an increase in quota for religious minorities from 10 per cent to 15 per cent in various housing schemes implemented by the housing department of the government in urban and rural areas across the state. Soon after the decision, the BJP accused the government of continuing with appeasement of the Muslim community. 'The Centre has given instructions to note the shortage of housing for minorities. Our government has increased the reservation keeping in mind the homeless people of this community and social justice. I need not reply to those who smell politics in providing houses to the needy poor', Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil hit back while briefing the press after the Cabinet meeting. He claimed the decision has been taken since houseless families are more among the minorities. DCM DK Shivakumar defended the move saying the houses built by the Housing Department in urban areas are mostly vacant, and minorities have shown interest in occupying them. 'In some urban areas, 20 to 30 percent of the minority community is poor. Therefore, a proposal has been made to increase reservation for them. Money should be paid for these houses. Others have not shown much interest. In Bengaluru too, houses are vacant in many residential buildings. The central government's subsidy for the construction of houses is very less. After the construction of these houses, they have fallen vacant. To whom should these be given?' he questioned. He pointed out that the buildings in Mandya have fallen vacant. Cabinet meeting likely at Nandi Hills on July 17 'What should we do when no one has applied for these houses? Should the house be left empty?', he hit back at BJP. However, the BJP termed reservation on the basis of religion as unconstitutional. 'In Karnataka, Congress has converted welfare into a market place for vote-bank politics. First, 4% quota in government contracts. Now, 15% quota in housing schemes. Where does this appeasement end?', questioned BJP state president B Y Vijayendra. He said that the Congress government is re-establishing the Bahmani Sultan's rule in Karnataka.
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Reservation for minorities under housing schemes hiked to 15%
Bengaluru: 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. According to the government, this enhanced quota will benefit all minorities including Muslims, Christians, and Jains. The move follows a recent government initiative to introduce a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in public contracts, which has come under criticism from opposition BJP. The saffron party has accused the Congress dispensation of 'undermining' the Constitution through religion-based reservations. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar defended the decision, saying its primary objective is to help poorer sections of the society. Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, state Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said, 'Under various housing schemes being implemented by the Housing Department across the state, in both urban and rural areas, it has been decided to enhance the reservation for minorities from 10 per cent to 15 per cent.' 'The decision was taken-- as the central government observing the inadequate housing among them (minorities) has given certain instructions, and the state government too has observed the high number of homeless among minorities in the state,' he said. Responding to a question about scientific basis for the increased reservation, the Minister said there are reports on the total number of homeless among SC/STs, general category, and others. 'On all that count, we have increased the percentage of reservation (for minorities),' he added. Asked if similar enhancements will be extended to all communities, based on population, Patil said it will be given wherever the number of homeless is high. 'There were also certain instructions from the Centre while allocating certain housing schemes to states, certain instructions are being given by the Centre based on the Sachar Committee report, keeping all this and social justice in mind, this decision has been taken,' he said, adding that this move does not require any amendments to rules and law. Noting that there has been a demand for such an enhancement in quota for housing, especially in urban areas, Patil said hence this decision has been taken unanimously by the cabinet. To a query if this decision will lead to a perception that it is aimed at benefiting Muslims, as other minorities are not in big numbers across the state, he said, 'we cannot respond to those building perceptions and those trying to politicise providing houses for the poor. I can only say that the government's intention is to provide social justice and more benefits to the communities where the homeless are high in is only for housing.' The Minister clarified that this reservation is not applicable to specified housing schemes for SC/STs and others. Criticising the decision, Karnataka BJP alleged that the Congress government is always ready to 'dishonour the Constitution'. 'Although the Constitution clearly states that reservations should not be given on the basis of religion, the Congress government in Karnataka is repeatedly violating it. Providing 15 per cent reservation separately for Muslims under the housing schemes is completely unconstitutional. The Congress, which has been reprimanded by the court for giving reservation to Muslims in contracts, will also be reprimanded in this matter,' it said in a post on 'X'. Defending the cabinet decision, Shivakumar told media that many houses built under housing schemes are vacant. As the minority population is more in urban areas compared to other parts, opportunity is being given to them to utilise. 'Urban areas have a higher population of minorities and their quota under various housing schemes was 10 per cent. Many houses were empty and not occupied, some percentage money has to be paid for these houses,' he said. Noting that the central government's funds for some of these schemes are less, he said, 'So, we (state government) have contributed to the remaining part and built these houses. As in many places the buildings (houses) built are not occupied, as the minority population is more in some areas, to give them an opportunity to utilise (the houses), the quota has been enhanced from 10 to 15 per cent,' he said. Rejecting BJP's allegations, the Deputy CM said, 'Let anyone say anything, we want to help poorer sections, when there are no applicants (for houses) what can you do? Can I keep the buildings vacant? We can't do that.'
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Minorities' housing schemes quota to go from 10% to 15%
The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to enhance the reservation for minorities under various housing schemes in the state from 10% to 15%, drawing criticism from the opposition BJP, which called the move 'unconstitutional'. According to ministers, the move aligned with both the demographic realities and existing central guidelines. According to the government, this enhanced quota will benefit all minorities, including Muslims, Christians, and Jains. The change will apply to all government housing initiatives implemented across the state, and according to housing minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, it comes after long-standing demands from minority groups who have struggled to access affordable housing. The decision, however, has led the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to accuse the Congress-led government of pushing a religion-based agenda in violation of constitutional principles. Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar defended the revision, highlighting that many housing units remain unoccupied in towns and cities, and that the new allocation could address both vacancy and need. 'In Mandya, there are 7 to 9 towers where no one has moved in. At least minorities are willing to occupy those buildings,' he said. 'In urban areas, a lot of minorities are present. We couldn't allocate [homes] to others, and that's why they requested 10–15%.' He pointed to similar patterns in Bengaluru, where homes built under public schemes have not been fully utilised. 'We've constructed houses, but no one has occupied them,' he said, adding that the increase was a long-pending demand. 'In the past seven years, they proposed this, and we agreed.' Law minister HK Patil called the change a reflection of the government's 'housing for all' vision. 'Many houseless individuals come from downtrodden and minority backgrounds. This move ensures that homes reach those in genuine need,' he said, clarifying that the quota does not exclude other communities. 'The government is firm that all eligible, houseless individuals should be accommodated.' The BJP has condemned the decision as constitutionally untenable. Union minister Pralhad Joshi claimed it flouted Supreme Court orders that bar religion-based reservations. 'This is a clear case of appeasement. The Congress government has increased what was on paper 4 to 15% in practice,' he said. 'It is a direct attack on the rights of SCs, STs, and OBCs, who will now lose out on benefits rightfully theirs.' Joshi warned of potential legal action, stating the party would review options in consultation with legal experts. BJP MLC CT Ravi also criticised the policy, invoking the legacy of Dr BR Ambedkar. 'Ambedkar never supported religion-based reservation. Now Congress is extending it to housing too,' he said. The move follows another contentious policy from the Siddaramaiah government earlier this year — an attempt to reserve 4% of government contracts under ₹2 crore for Muslims.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Monsoon session likely in mid-July, crowd management bill to steal focus
Bengaluru: Although BJP, the principal opposition party, has been demanding a special session of the legislature to debate the recent stadium stampede tragedy, the govt is leaning towards holding a regular monsoon session in mid-July. Authorities have tentatively fixed July 14 as the start date for the session though the cabinet, will discuss the session's schedule at the next meeting. "A two-week session with 10 working days in mid-July fits well before the festival season," said a senior official from the parliamentary affairs department. "The cabinet may either set the dates or authorise the chief minister to decide and advise the governor accordingly." By convention, the gap between two sessions should not exceed six months. Since the budget session — the previous one — ended on March 21, the govt has until the third week of Sept to convene the next session. But CM Siddaramaiah is said to be in favour of an early session amid BJP's pressure over the stampede tragedy that claimed 11 lives during RCB's IPL victory celebrations. Siddaramaiah reportedly wants to end the public discourse by facilitating a debate on the incident in the assembly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Зачем на ночь сжигают лавровый лист? Undo Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, addressing the controversy, urged the opposition to use parliamentary procedures rather than protests. "It is an unfortunate incident," he said. "We took stern action, including suspending police officials and ordering a judicial probe. Let the opposition debate the issue in the assembly instead of creating a public spectacle for political gain." The session is expected to begin with the assembly ratifying revocation of suspension of 18 BJP legislators. These MLAs were suspended on the last day of the previous session on charges of indiscipline and unruly behaviour, even as the opposition demanded a judicial investigation over the alleged honey trap targeting cooperation minister KN Rajanna and other members. Speaker UT Khader decided to revoke the suspensions after Siddaramaiah intervened, but rules demand the decision must be ratified through a resolution. The session is likely to be stormy as BJP and JD(S) are preparing to corner the govt over the stampede tragedy. In response, the govt plans to introduce a bill on crowd management. "We want to bring in a policy for crowd management and it is the need of the hour. We will prepare a framework, and a bill may be introduced," said Shivakumar. Parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil said the govt has already prepared a draft bill, while home minister G Parameshwara, whose department is expected to pilot the bill, said standard operating procedures on managing crowds during big events are being considered for inclusion in the proposed legislation. Other legislations likely to come up include the Gig Workers Welfare Bill, currently in the form of an ordinance, and the Rohith Vemula Bill aimed at protecting Dalit students in higher educational institutions. The contentious proposed bill to increase work hours in the private sector is also expected to generate debate, along with the proposed caste census.
United News of India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Karnataka cabinet clears tough crowd control law
Bengaluru, Jun 19 (UNI) In the wake of the tragic stampede at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which claimed 11 lives and left 56 injured, the Karnataka government is set to introduce a stringent crowd control law. A draft bill was discussed in the state cabinet on Wednesday and is expected to be tabled in the forthcoming monsoon session of the Assembly. According to the draft bill, a copy of which is in circulation, the proposed legislation holds event organisers and executors legally accountable for lapses in crowd management, with penalties including imprisonment of up to three years and fines starting from ₹50,000. Offences under the proposed act will be non-cognizable and non-bailable. The bill, which is seen as a direct fallout of the Chinnaswamy stadium stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) victory celebration on June 4, lays down a detailed compliance framework for event planners. RCB and DNA Networks, the event coordinators, have come under intense scrutiny in connection with the incident. 'If the event planner does not apply for police permission before conducting the event, fails to control the crowd gathered, does not provide compensation or violates any provisions of the Act or its rules in any manner, they shall be punishable with imprisonment up to three years or with fine up to ₹5 lakh or both,' the draft bill states. Other offences include deliberate violation of regulations, incidents leading to death or bodily injury, and crowd disturbances resulting in injury or stampede. There are also provisions for penalising abetment and for organisers of commercially driven gatherings, such as sporting events or circuses. The stampede – which occurred as thousands of fans thronged a narrow entry point outside the stadium – triggered a wave of criticism against the Congress-led government. Both the BJP and JD(S) held Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar directly responsible, accusing them of inadequate planning and hasty execution. The crowd had gathered to celebrate RCB's maiden IPL title win in 18 years, turning the stadium precincts into an emotionally charged venue, which quickly descended into chaos. UNI BDN SSP
