Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil, who tabled the bill, said it is intended to address unemployment among backward classes and encourage their participation in public works.
Published Mar 21, 2025 | 9:51 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 21, 2025 | 9:51 PM
Speaker UT Khader (X)
Synopsis: The Karnataka legislative assembly has passed an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, introducing a four percent reservation in public contracts for Backward Classes Muslim contractors under Category 2B. The move, first announced in the state budget, aims to address unemployment among backward classes and will not incur additional government expenditure.
The Karnataka legislative assembly on Friday, 21 March passed the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Amendment Bill, which introduces a four percent reservation in public contracts for contractors from the Backward Classes Muslim communities classified under Category 2B of Karnataka reservation list.
The bill was passed amid chaos in the assembly following disruptions caused by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)] legislators, calling for a judicial probe into an alleged ‘honey-trap’ attempt on nearly 50 state leaders.
The new legislation amends the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999.
The Act currently provides 24.1 percent reservation for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) contractors, 15 percent for OBC Category 2A, and four percent for OBC Category 1.
There had been ongoing demands to extend it to Muslim communities already listed under Category 2B with a corresponding four percent quota in the state reservation list.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil, who tabled the bill, said it is intended to address unemployment among backward classes and encourage their participation in public works.
As per the amendment, four percent of civil contracts up to ₹2 crore and contracts for goods and services up to ₹1 crore will be reserved for Backward Classes Muslim contractors from Category 2B.
The proposal was first announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the state budget presentation on 7 March. The state government stressed that the measure will not result in any additional expenditure for the exchequer.
Following the passage of the bill, BJP-JDS MLAs jumped into the well of the house and started throwing papers at Speaker UT Khader.
In response, Speaker Khader suspended 18 MLAs for a period of six months for “disrespecting the Chair.”
The suspended MLAs, including Dr CN Ashwath Narayana, CK Ramamurthy, SR Vishwanath, Munirathna, and others, were forcefully carried out by marshals.
In a statement, the speaker’s office said the suspended MLAs will not be allowed to enter the assembly premises, attend standing committee meetings, participate in Vidhan Sabha events, vote in committee elections, or receive their salaries during the suspension period.
The uproar follows allegations made on Thursday by Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna, who claimed that he was targeted in a honey-trap attempt by an unidentified individual.
In response, Home Minister G Parameshwara announced a high-level investigation based on Rajanna’s written complaint.
On Friday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured the House that an impartial probe would be conducted and action taken against all those involved, regardless of political affiliation.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
