In yet another instance of tug-of-war between Governor Vajubhai R. Vala and the State government, the former has declined to give assent to the Ordinance on reserving a percentage of construction works for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/STs) in various government departments.
While this is part of a series of decisions of the government that have failed to get the Governor’s assent, the latest one has been described as “anti-Dalit” by a section of Dalit activists, who are planning a protest on the issue.
Karnataka State SC, ST Contractors’ Association members met Social Welfare Minister H. Anjaneya and Public Works Department Minister H.C. Mahadevappa on Saturday and they have promised to meet the Governor on Monday to convince him on the need for the Ordinance, said N. Mahadeva Swamy, general secretary of the association.
The association is meeting on Sunday to decide on the next course of action. “Other Dalit organisations are also joining us,” Mr. Swamy told The Hindu . “We also want to know what the position of the Bharatiya Janata Party is on the issue,” he added.
The State Cabinet on April 20, , had decided to reserve a certain percentage of construction works valued up to Rs. 50 lakh for the SCs and STs. It was decided to set aside works without inviting tenders based on the population of SCs and STs. Instead of bringing amendments to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act, 1999, the State Government had proposed to promulgate an Ordinance. However, Mr. Vala rejected the ordinance and reportedly told the government to introduce the necessary clause in the Bill to amend the KTPP Act by holding discussions in the legislature.
Other decisions returned by Governor
Appointment of Karnataka Law Commission Chairman S.R. Nayak as Lokayukta
Appointment of K.L. Manjunath as Upalokayukta
Appointment of former MLC, V.R. Sudarshan, as KPSC chairman
Bill splitting the BBMP
