Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has approved a 4% reservation for Muslim contractors in government tenders, alongside Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and other backward communities. The Siddaramaiah-led Cabinet has cleared the proposal, with plans to introduce a Bill in the ongoing Budget Session to amend the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, 1999.
Under the proposed amendment, Muslim contractors will be eligible for 4% reservation in government contracts up to ₹1 crore, while the existing reservation limit for SC/ST contractors will be raised from ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore. The decision follows demands from minority leaders, who urged the government to extend benefits similar to those provided to other marginalized communities.
The move has sparked sharp criticism from the BJP, which has accused the Congress government of “blatant appeasement politics”. State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra alleged that the decision is unconstitutional and divisive, questioning why only Muslim contractors are being prioritized under the new policy.
“Does the Congress think that only Muslims constitute the minority group?” Vijayendra asked, urging CM Siddaramaiah to focus on empowering all marginalized communities instead. He further criticized the lack of fund allocations for legislators and questioned the relevance of reservations when no tenders have been issued.
Meanwhile, the Congress government defends the decision, stating that it aims to enhance economic opportunities for backward communities, including minorities. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil has backed the amendment, with the Finance Department already preparing a blueprint for its implementation.
