The Hindu : 'No circular issued to favour Madigas'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 16, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

'No circular issued to favour Madigas'

By Our Staff Reporter

Bangalore March 15. The Social Welfare Minister, Kagodu Thimmappa, on Friday refuted reports that the Karnataka SC/ST Development Corporation Managing Director, Anil Kumar, had issued a circular to his district officers to consider applications from members of Madiga caste at the cost of Holeya community. He appealed to the latter to stop their agitation, which had been going on in Gulbarga District for several days.

The minister told presspersons here that on his request, the Home Minister, Mallikarjuna Kharge, had agreed to order an enquiry by an officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police to find out who was behind the false letter and punish the guilty. He clarified that no circular had been circulated to any officer.

Mr. Thimmappa said there was no question of discriminating anybody and he would initiate action, if any such complaints were made to him.

Admitting that there was pressure from the Madiga community to follow the Andhra Pradesh system of population-based reservation, the minister said he had discussed the issue with the Chief Minister, S.M.Krishna.

After a prolonged legal battle, the Andhra Pradesh Act, after bifurcation, had been pending with the Supreme Court, which had stayed it. In Karnataka, he said, the population of the two communities was not known as the Supreme Court had ruled against caste-based Census. The reservation to all categories in the State had been raised to 71 per cent, but was later brought down to 50 per cent as per the Apex Court's orders.

But in the case of Tamil Nadu, reservation had been raised to 69 per cent as it was included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, thanks to its political clout with the Centre. If the percentage of reservation for SCs/STs had to be raised, it could be done only at the peril of the OBCs.

The minister said he had appealed to the Chief Minister to grant Rs. five crore for a door-to-door socio-economic survey of the other backward classes. The Karnataka SC/ST Commission Bill would be tabled before the Legislature in the coming session, as the Ordinance on the issue had lapsed.

The Cabinet had already approved the Bill.

About the progress in the inquiry into the irregularities in the SC/ST and OBC hostels, he said over 60 officers, particularly wardens, had been kept under suspension.

There were cases where the wardens had not bothered to open the hostels and allowed indiscipline among the hostel inmates. The tahsildars had been asked to supervise the hostels and they would be suspended, if there were serious complaints of maladministration.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Reject Mallya's nomination: Taradevi

Let new panel decide on Krishna: CM

RSS wants Centre to allow 'Poornahuthi'

Thimmappa takes over as VC of BU

Crucial Coffee Board meeting today

Nine colleges recommended for disaffiliation

New transfer system from April

'Shila daan': Hubli, Dharwad peaceful

Coast Guard rally reaches Mangalore

'No circular issued to favour Madigas'

Minister opens renovated temple near Hassan

Pro-Hindu groups perform puja; uneasy calm in Bidar

Mobile phone service in Raichur by August