Karnataka government increases quota by 10% for EWS

BENGALURU: The Karnataka cabinet has taken a decision of countering the reservation for the upper-caste poor of PM Modi by 10% with the formation of a Brahmin development board in the state for the community.

The promise which was made by JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda in the run-up to the 2018 assembly elections has been helpful for the coalition government to woo the BJP Brahmin vote bank within the state. Brahmins form 3% of the population of Karnataka. 

While the coalition has maintained its silence on the 10% quota in government jobs for the economically weaker section (EWS) of the upper castes, it has said that, the primary intention of the government is to provide social and economic stability to Brahmins in the state.

On Thursday the Karnataka government decided to increase the quota for handicapped candidates in government jobs and government schemes. Krishna Byre Gowda the RDPR minister said that, the quota has been increased to 5% in all government schemes and in higher education seats. “Also, we’ll provide a 4% reservation for the handicapped in government jobs.”