BRIC Team reports: Ahead of Karnataka government’s plans to fill 56,432 posts in various departments in a big recruitment drive, youth from the Scheduled Tribes fear reduced opportunities due to reduction in reservation for STs. The State government fixed the reservation quota for STs at 3% in 1958 based on their population then.Long-pending demand“Over decades, the population has increased as more tribes were included. The increase is based on the Karnataka High Court’s direction and on recommendation by the H.N.
Nagamohan Das Commission,” former MP V.S. Ugrappa pointed out.The increase in the number of tribes and subsequent increase in the ST population started after the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 1976, by which geographical limitations attached to the castes/ tribes were removed, resulting in extraordinary increase of ST population.“For example, before the amendment, only the Naikas in Belagavi were part of the list earlier. Once the restrictions were removed, Naikas across the State also became eligible,” Mr.
Background
Ugrappa, a Congress spokesperson, pointed out.Synonymous namesThe biggest jump of population was post 1991 when the Centre included Naikas/Valmikis/ Bedas in the list, making them the dominant tribes among the 51 tribes. Legally, the government has not represented the case well. Two parliamentary seats and 15 Assembly seats are reserved for STs in Karnataka that is in proportion to the population.
Key facts
- The increase is based on the Karnataka High Court’s direction and on recommendation by the H.N.
- Nagamohan Das Commission,” former MP V.S.
- Once the restrictions were removed, Naikas across the State also became eligible,” Mr.
What this means
Similarly, seats are reserved in local bodies,” he added. (This is the first of a two-part series)
