
Congress delaying internal quota survey, says BJP
The survey, aimed at identifying the most backward sub-castes within the SC community to facilitate internal reservation, will run from May 5 to May 23. Initiated following the recommendations of the Justice HN Nagamohan Das Commission, the exercise will begin in the districts of Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu, and Hassan.
BJP leaders, at a joint press conference in Bengaluru on Sunday, criticised the Congress-led government for what they described as an intentional and 'politically motivated delay' in implementing the internal reservation policy. 'We fear a suspicious delay in the implementation of internal reservation by the Congress government in the state,' former deputy chief minister Govind Karjol said.
He pointed out that the Supreme Court verdict dated August 1 last year allowed state governments to enact internal reservation, and said other states responded swiftly. 'The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government argued in favour of internal reservation to resolve a 30-year-old issue, marking a historic development. Following the SC's verdict, the governments of Haryana, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh swiftly implemented internal reservation and have been appreciated for their proactive approach,' he said.
He alleged that the Congress government was slow to act due to internal political dynamics. 'Siddaramaiah, who portrays himself as a champion of social justice, now appears to have fallen behind other states, hanging his head in shame. The Karnataka government is in a position where internal reservation activists have to bring constant pressure and push the government to act at every stage,' Karjol said.
He confirmed that a BJP delegation had recently met justice HN Nagamohan Das to discuss the challenges ahead of the survey, which he said should be conducted transparently to win the trust of the SC community. 'The survey will conclude by May 20. Since technology is being used, the final report will be ready within a few days. To encourage active participation in the survey, Siddaramaiah must announce the date of enforcement of the internal reservation law in advance,' he added.
Former Union minister V Narayanaswamy said that the Kantharaj Committee report, which he said included some critical data from the current caste census, was already placed before the cabinet but resistance from certain Congress leaders belonging to dominant communities was hindering the progress.
'Cabinet ministers HC Mahadevappa, G Parameshwara, Priyank Kharge, KH Muniyappa, and RB Timmapur have not voiced any opposition regarding the data concerning Scheduled Castes in the report,' Narayanaswamy said.
He accused Mahadevappa, Parameshwara, and Kharge of maintaining an unclear position. 'They have neither accepted nor rejected it outright. Therefore, they may continue this dual stance even with the data from the upcoming Justice HN Nagamohan Das-led survey,' he said.
He noted that the Kantharaj Commission conducted both a caste census and a social and educational survey, documenting population statistics for 101 SC communities. According to him, the findings of Nagamohan report echoed earlier reports from the Sadashiva Commission and the Madhu Swamy Committee.
He urged the CM to declare a date for implementing internal reservation before the new survey begins. 'This would demonstrate his commitment clearly,' he stated.
Meanwhile, home minister G Parameshwara, responding to media queries, reiterated the government's intent to follow through on the survey findings. 'Whatever the outcome of the findings, we will take and appreciate decisions,' he said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Deccan Herald
6 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
PM Modi's 'friendship' with US President proving to be hollow: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh
In a post on X, Congress general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh also alleged that Indian diplomacy was failing in the light of the US partnering with Pakistan.


Deccan Herald
6 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Mhadei river row: Goa CM Pramod Sawant asks Karnataka govt to follow cooperative federalism
Goa and Karnataka are embroiled in a dispute over sharing the Mhadei river water. The BJP-ruled Goa has accused the Congress-governed Karnataka of planning to divert the river water by constructing two dams.


Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Delhi govt requests SC to review 2018 blanket ban affecting middle class the most
ANI file photo NEW DELHI: In a bold step, the Delhi Govt on Friday requested the Supreme Court to reconsider its 2018 blanket ban on plying of over 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles on the roads of entire National Capital Region saying stricter BS-VI norm compliant vehicles emit far less pollutants compared to BS-IV vehicles. It requested the SC to direct the Union govt or Air Quality Management to 'carry out a suitable broad-based, scientific study on the need for continuance of a complete ban on playing of 15 or more years old petrol and 10 or more years old diesel vehicles of all categories in NCR, imposed by the SC through its order on Oct 10, 2018'. The Delhi govt said the blanket ban, not backed by any scientific study, does not differentiate between poorly maintained, The directive to off-road vehicles purely on the basis of age disproportionately affects the middle-class population whose vehicles are less used, well-maintained, and pollution norm compliant, the govt said. 'Studies indicate that these vehicles often have significantly lower annual mileage and contribute negligibly to overall emissions,' it said. It said the significant improvement in Pollution Under Control Technology, increased coverage of PUC testing, stricter monitoring of emission standards, transition to BS-VS engines and other measures have suitably addressed the concerns that had impelled the SC to pass the order seven years ago. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Remember Him? Sit Down Before You See What He Looks Like Now 33 Bridges Undo Road-worthiness is a technical and scientific issue that must be linked to actual emissions of a vehicle, which is required to be banned, and not a blanket ban based on the age of the vehicles, it said, echoing the popular sentiments of people living in the national capital region and Delhi. Delhi govt, through an application settled by additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, said, 'There is a need for a graded, balanced and technology riven regime to handle vehicular pollution issue and instead of blanket ban, a scientific, data-driven framework should be developed taking into account all parameters to ascertain individual emission levels of vehicles.' Repeatedly stressing that the 2018 blanket ban order needs reconsideration, the BJP govt said vehicular pollution constitutes only one of the several sources of air-pollution, including stubble burning, biomass burning, road and construction dust, industrial emissions coupled with weather and meteorological factors and the intensity of pollution varies from season to season. Delhi govt said its transport department has strictly implemented PUC has resulted in issuance of 1,63,103 challans in the first seven months of this year, compared to 29,589 challans issued in 2021, 43,494 in 2022, 36,176 in 2023, and 68,077 in 2024. It said with the augmentation of CNG and electric buses and improvement in road infrastructure, the pollution caused by vehicles has reduced. It said the good AQI days have increased from 159 in 2018 to 209 in 2024 and good AQI days this year till July was 106. The robust implementation of Graded Response Plan (GRAP) has contributed to reducing pollution in the national capital, it said.