Karnataka raises minority housing scheme reservation to 15%

Karnataka has made the decision to raise the reservation for minorities in housing schemes from 10% to 15%. The government will implement these 15% reservations on a taluk level rather than on a village level.

State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil stated that the reservations will apply to Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, and Parsis. He emphasized that there is no internal division within this quota.

Patil mentioned, “The Centre has also issued directions. Given the significant number of minorities lacking housing, we have increased the reservation percentage for them. According to the Sachar Committee report, their conditions are dire.”
Patil dismissed the claim that this decision would be perceived as “pro-Muslim,” given that they represent the largest group among these communities. “Why do you perceive political motives in a decision aimed at providing housing to those without it?” he questioned.

The Bharatiya Janata Party criticized the Congress-led government for this initiative. BJP MLA Arvind Bellad remarked, “…No reservation can be granted based on religion. This contradicts the constitution…This will be challenged in court, and the public will respond appropriately at the right moment. We will bring this issue up in the assembly.”

A document from the Housing Department indicated that since 2017, a 10% reservation for minorities has been available in the Basava Rural Housing Scheme, Vajpayee Urban Housing Scheme, and D Devaraj Urs Special Housing Scheme. The document revealed that a Cabinet sub-committee formed during the Congress-JD(S) coalition led by HD Kumaraswamy had decided to raise the reservation to 15%.

The views of the Law and Finance Departments were solicited on this matter. The Law Department endorsed the decision, while the Finance Department deferred the final choice to the Housing Department.