The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a change to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act that would provide Muslim contractors a 4% reservation in tenders. MoS Bhagirath Choudhary says this is unfortunate.
He said, “It is unfortunate. 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas Sabka Prayas' is PM Modi's slogan, and he believes that there are only four castes in this country - poor, women, farmers, and youths. This is PM Modi's ideology.”
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Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presided over a meeting conducted in the Vidhan Sabha's Cabinet Hall on March 14, when it was determined that the change would be implemented following the KTPP Act's tabling in the current assembly session.
When he presented the Karnataka government's budget earlier on March 7, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah revealed that 4% of public works contracts will henceforth be set aside for Muslims under a category known as Category-II B.
Up to Rs 1 crore would be reserved for suppliers who belong to SC, ST, Category I, Category II A, and Category II B when purchasing products and services from various government departments, businesses, and institutions; Category II B includes Muslims.