K'taka Guv Sends Bill Seeking 4% Quota for Muslim Contractors to Prez

WHILE Opposition parties are protesting against the state government's Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Amendment Bill, which provides 4% reservation for Muslim contractors in government tenders, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has reserved the Bill for consideration and assent of the President of India, citing the Supreme Court's judgments and stating, "Reservation cannot be on the basis of religion."

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @B'luru

The KTPP Amendment Bill was passed in both houses of Karnataka legislature last month, after which the BJP had appealed to the governor to reject the bill.

The governor in his communication to the state government mentioned that the Bill seeks an amendment to increase the limit of the tender amount from ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore, "and to make provision for 4% reservation to be tendered only among the tenderers belonging to the Backward Classes as specified in Category - II (B)".