'Bill on SC/ST promotion in November'

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that the state government will introduce a new bill in the winter session of Assembly in November on reservation in promotions to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in government jobs.

“The government is committed to protecting the interests of SC/STs employees and we are confident of enacting a new law in the Assembly,” the chief minister told reporters here on Saturday. The government had earlier promulgated the ordinance after the Supreme Court struck down reservation in promotions for SC/ST employees. However, Governor Vajubhai R Vala returned it seeking explanations on whether it was inevitable and urgent.

The state has had reservation in promotions for SC/ST employees since 1978 — 15% for SCs and 3% for STs. However, the apex court struck down reservation in promotions for SC/ST employees. The issue has serious political implications in Karnataka, which goes to polls next year, with SC/STs demanding that the government find ways to protect their interests.

Anti-superstition bill

The chief minister said that the government would bring the anti-superstition bill in the winter session of the Assembly. “The Cabinet sub-committee is studying the draft bill and I have suggested the panel that it should be on the lines of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.”