Cabinet Sub-committee studying changes to Article 371(J): CM

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that a Cabinet Sub-committee was studying the required amendment to Article 371(J) to overcome bottlenecks in extending 8 per cent reservation in jobs and promotions in the districts outside the jurisdiction of Hyderabad Karnataka region. In a written reply to a starred question from the BJP’s Amarnath Patil in the Legislative Council, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that based on the

recommendations of the committee, the State government would recommend to the Union government about the amendments needed to Article 371(J) of the Constitution for its effective implementation.

Demand rejected

The Chief Minister rejected the demand for shifting the special cell constituted for the implementation of the provisions of Article 371(J) from Bengaluru to Kalaburagi and said that the special cell established in the State Secretariat in Bengaluru was functioning effectively and there was no proposal before the government to shift it to Kalaburagi.

Pending cases

He said that the government was aware of the cases pending in different courts and the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal filed by different persons challenging the 8 per cent reservation extended in government jobs and promotions to people from Hyderabad Karnataka region and pointed out that a detailed order passed by the government extending reservation facilities as per provisions of Article 371(J) has been published on the government website. He said that the State government has time and again filed its replies in courts and before the KAT making its stand clear on providing 8 per cent reservation to people from the region in jobs and promotions outside Hyderabad Karnataka region.

 Steps taken

Mr. Siddaramaiah said that the government has initiated all steps to extend 8 per cent reservation to candidates from Hyderabad Karnataka region in other districts outside the Hyderabad Karnataka region and orders have been issued to all departments and corporations to extend reservation facilities in appointments and promotions.

Amendment required to overcome bottlenecks in extending 8 p.c. quota in jobs to those from Hyderabad Karnataka outside their districts

Demand for shifting special cell implementing Article 371(J) to Kalaburagi rejected