15 pc quota for minorities in housing schemes not new decision Karnataka Minister Khan

Bengaluru, Jun 20 (PTI) Karnataka Housing and Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan on Friday said that the decision to reserve 15 per cent in housing schemes for the minority community is not a new one, as it was recommended back in 2019 by a cabinet sub-committee formed during the Congress-JD(S) coalition government led by then Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.
    He clarified that, as per the Sachar Committee report, the central government already provides 15 per cent reservation for minorities in housing schemes, and there was a demand to implement a similar model in the state as well. Hence the central model has been adopted.
    The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to enhance the reservation for minorities under various housing schemes in the state from 10 to 15 per cent, a move which the opposition BJP has slammed, calling it "unconstitutional" and "appeasement".
    "The cabinet sub-committee that was constituted during the 2019 coalition government has made this recommendation. Now, the proposal has been brought before the cabinet and approved. The existing reservation of 10 per cent has now been increased to 15 per cent," Khan said in a statement.
    He said a large number of poor families exist within the minority community and many are without proper housing, and therefore, there was a longstanding demand to increase the reservation percentage.
    The minister also pointed out that the National Commission for Minorities in 2021 had recommended the implementation of a 15 per cent reservation.
    "Without understanding these factual points, the opposition parties are making unnecessary criticisms, which is not appropriate," he added.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)