After SC,ST quota hike, Karnataka looking at 10 pc EWS reservation

BENGALURU: Following the recent move by the BJP government in the state to increase reservation for Scheduled Castes and Schedules Tribes, all eyes are now on whether it will implement 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections too. The Basavaraj Bommai Cabinet is expected to take up the issue for discussion in the coming days.

Recently, the state government issued a notification increasing reservation for SCs from 15 to 17 per cent and for STs from 3 to 7 per cent.

On Monday, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, in a split 3:2 verdit, upheld 103rd amendment to the Constitution which allows the state to grant 10 per cent quota for economically poorer section among upper castes.

The 10 per cent EWS quota is already in force in some other states. The Karnataka government plans to collect information from those states to go through the scheme in detail. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is considering holding a preliminary meeting with all the stakeholders concerned. The implementation of the EWS quota in the state took a backseat after the central government’s decision over granting reservation was challenged before the Supreme Court.

If the Karnataka government announces EWS quota, the poor among Brahmins, Jains, Vaishyas, Mudaliayar and Nayars will benefit from the 10 per cent reservation in public service posts and educational institutions.

Who will be eligible?

The annual income of a family should not be exceed Rs 8 lakh.

A person should have below 5 acres of agricultural land.

Residential property should be below 1,000 sqft in urban areas.

Residential property should not be more than 100 sq yards in municipal limits.

Residential property should not be more than 200 sq yards non-municipal areas.