Interim report on vexed internal reservation issue in Karnataka to be submitted by H.N. Nagmohan Das Commission next week

The commission has been set up to recommend the ways and means of implementing the internal reservation that would adhere to the Supreme Court guidelines, and based on empirical data. It has been asked to rely on the 2011 census data to make its recommendation. Till the report is discussed and implemented, fresh notification for recruitment, filling of backlog posts and promotions in government departments have been halted.

The over-two-decade-long internal reservation issue among the scheduled castes in Karnataka, which has been a demand of the Dalit left communities, has gathered momentum with the Justice H.N. Nagmohan Das Commission expected to submit its interim recommendation next week.

The commission had been set up after the Supreme Court last year allowed the States to provide for internal reservation, and the State Cabinet agreed to implement internal reservation. As a precursor, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah chaired a meeting of cabinet ministers hailing from the scheduled caste communities on March 24 in which the retired judge also took part.

The internal reservation will slice up the 17% reservation matrix given to 101 scheduled castes. The Congress had, in its election manifesto released ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections, promised to implement internal reservation in Karnataka.

The commission has been set up to recommend ways and means of implementing internal reservation while adhering to Supreme Court guidelines and based on empirical data. It has been asked to rely on the 2011 census data to make its recommendation. Till the report is discussed and implemented, fresh notification for recruitment, filling of backlog posts and promotions in government departments have been halted.

“Congress government is committed and is very clear about implementing internal reservation. The committee was set up to recommend internal reservation based on Supreme Court’s directive and on empirical data. In the light of the interim report being expected next week, we held a discussion,” Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahdevappa told reporters in Bengaluru on March 24 after the meeting.

Among those present in the meeting were Food and Civil Supplies Minister K.H. Muniyappa, Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, Home Minister G. Parameshwar and Excise Minister T.B. Thimmapur.

Dr. Mahadevappa said, “Till the internal reservation is finalised, normal recruitment, backlog recruitment and promotion have been stopped.”