Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Nov 19: Issues like reservation-based promotions for SC/ST employees and decision to deny quota for SC/ST and backward classes within the general category quota in recruitment through Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) are likely to create storm in the cabinet meeting scheduled here on Monday November 19.

There are differences between the coalition partners on the issue of giving reservation-based promotions to staff recruited under SC/ST quota. The Congress leaders want the government to promote those who were reverted in compliance with the Supreme Court directives on the basis of a recent law the state has passed. JD(S) leaders prefer to wait for the Supreme Court's verdict as a petition about the legality of the new legislation is pending there.

Minister, Priyank Kharge, who had expressed his anger at the government's indecision on promoting SC/ST employees, is also livid at the denial of reservation to SC/ST candidates under general category as mentioned in KPSC circular. Not only Congress leaders, but even backward and dalit leaders from JD(S) have expressed themselves
against KPSC circular.

Kharge said on Sunday that discussions will be held at the disputed circular of KPSC at the cabinet meeting being held on Monday. He also said that the government will go ahead and implement law protecting quota-based promotions to SC/ST employees before the Supreme Court delivers its verdict.

Leader of the Congress parliamentary party in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, advised the government to follow the principles of the constitution on the controversial circular issued by KPSC. He felt that backward classes and dalits should be provided merit-based quota under general category. If these issues are not addressed immediately, they will create lot of problems in future. He felt that the government should show its commitment on the issue of reservation-hased promotions.