‘Implement 371(J) to keep Karnataka united’

Expressing dissatisfaction over the “improper implementation” of Article 371(J) of the Constitution, Jana Sangram Parishat (JSP) and Hyderabad Karnataka Horata Samiti (HKHS) has said that the State government was “reluctant” to implement Article 371(J) and develop the backward Hyderabad-Karnataka region.

Addressing a joint media conference here on Monday, State working president of JSP Raghavendra Kushtagi said that the State government was deliberately delaying the bifurcation of incumbent employees into local and non-local cadres and denying, by various means, the reservations to HK candidates in jobs, promotions and education under Article 371(J).

“Minority educational institutions have approached the Court claiming that the reservations under Article 371(J) cannot be applicable to them and managed to get stay order. The government showed no interest to vacate it. Cadre bifurcation of incumbent employees into local and non-local, which should have been completed within 3 months from the date of order, has not yet been completed even after years,” he said.

By denying our legitimate rights under Article 371(J) and showing the least interest in developing backward H-K region, the State government is indeed forcing us to raise the demand for autonomous status and even statehood for Hyderabad Karnataka region, he said.

He advised the government to honestly implement Article 371(J) in the actual sense for keeping the State united.

Mr. Kushtagi also demanded the government to remove Qamarul Islam from the post of the chairman of Hyderabad-Karnataka Region Development Board (HKRDB) on the grounds of inefficiency.

Kavalu Samiti

Mr. Kustagi announced that a meeting of civil society organisations, activists and individuals from all the six districts of Hyderabad Karnataka region would be convened on next Sunday at Indian Medical Association Hall in Raichur to formulate the next course of struggle.

“A Kavalu Samiti for the implementation of Article 371(J) of the Constitution would be formed in the meeting,” he added.