BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has decided to issue an ordinance to implement its controversial decision to increase reservation quota for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes by 2% and 4%, respectively.
Transport minister B Sriramulu, who is said to have played a major role in the decision to increase reservations, said the legal process of promulgating an ordinance is already underway.
“The government will issue an ordinance in two-three days and send it to the governor for his assent,” Sriramulu said. He said the new quota will come into effect immediately after the governor gives his approval. The government plans to table a bill in the state legislature in the winter session to replace the ordinance.
Sriramulu said the decision to issue an ordinance was taken after studying how other states implemented quota hikes. “There will be no legal problems if the law to increase reservation is included in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution, and the government is working on it. We are confident that the Centre will oblige our request,” he said.
With the increase, SCs will have a 17% quota and STs 7%, but many legal experts feel the government’s decision will not stand the test of the law as the increase in reservation breaches the overall 50% ceiling set by the Supreme Court.
Officials said the government’s decision to issue an ordinance is also to test the waters as far as legal ramifications go. “If it’s challenged in court, the government will launch a legal defence to get it implemented ahead of assembly polls,” said an official.
