Three Bills, including the Karnataka Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes (Reservation of Appointment etc.) Amendment Bill that seeks to extend reservation to some posts in the government, were tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday.
The Bill seeks to redefine the terms “tenure posts” and “unfilled vacancies” and also to create various employment opportunities to the SC/ST communities.
Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge, who moved the Bill, later told The Hindu that it seeks to provide reservation in certain posts in the government that were so far exempted from reservation.
“In 1990 it had been felt that nine posts, including that of research scholar and tenure-based posts such as Vice-Chancellor of universities, in the government could be exempted from reservation. Now that quality of education (among the community members) has improved, reservation is sought to be introduced for some posts,” Mr. Kharge said. The Act enacted in 1990 had exempted posts meant for conducting or guiding research, scientific posts, tenure posts, posts filled on contract, ex-cadre posts, posts filled by transfer or deputation, posts for which recruitment is made in accordance with provisions of the Constitution, and other posts as specified by government from time to time.
Two other Bills
The other two Bills tabled on Wednesday are the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (Amendment) Bill, 2018 to provide representation to women in the commission and the Karnataka Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2018 to replace the Ordinance.