- The Karnataka Cabinet decided to categorize the two dominant communities in the state, Vokkaligas, and Lingayats, as “moderately backward” from the “backward” category in a move that could increase their share in reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC).
- Karnataka currently has a 32% quota for OBC, and a 17% and 7% quota for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, respectively, taking the total to 56%.
- The Panchamasali sub-sect of Veerashaiva Lingayats has demanded inclusion in the 2A category which has a 15% quota from their current 3B category which has a 5% quota.
- The Vokkaliga community, which is currently in the 3A category, will be moved to a newly-created 2C category with a 4% reservation.
- And the Lingayat community, which is in the 3B category, will now be in a new 2D category with 5% reservation.
- The Cabinet ensures that there is no sub-categorization of the Lingayat community.
- It was decided on the basis of recommendations of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, which had submitted an interim report to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on December 23.
- The increase in reservation from the one granted currently to these communities — 4% for Vokkaligas and 5% for Lingayats — via redistribution of the EWS quota will be based on the population of various communities assessed by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes.
- Karnataka government will petition the Centre to approve the hike in the reservation by including it under Schedule 9 of the Constitution.
Vokkaligas, Lingayats Gets Share in Reservation
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