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.
