NEW DELHI: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said his government will table two important bills to curb superstition and to give reservation in promotions to SC/STs in state services during the November session of state assembly.
On the demand for separate religion status to Lingayats, the CM said he would recommend it to the central government if religious groups come with a requisition in this regard.
Siddaramaiah was in the national capital to make a courtesy call to President Ram Nath Kovind. He also met Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
After the meetings on various state issues, the Chief Minister told reporters that a revised anti-superstition bill as well as a draft law to provide reservation in promotion to scheduled castes (SCs) and `scheduled tribes (STs) will be tabled in state assembly during November session.
"Our government is committed to bring a law to curb superstition. We are confident that it will be passed in the next session," Siddaramaih told reporters here.
The cabinet sub-committee has been asked to study and draft a bill on the lines of the Maharashtra law. The revised bill will be tabled, he added.
Karnataka cabinet which had discussed the proposed ‘Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Bill’ during in July 2016 session had referred it to a cabinet subcommittee headed by Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa.
The state government, especially Law Minister T B Jayachandra, was under pressure from civil society groups to bring in an anti-superstition bill after the murder of rationalist M M Kalburgi.
On reservation in promotions to SC/ST employees, Siddaramaiah said that the apex court has stuck down provisions of the state quota law. "We don't want to comment on it. We will pass the bill in the next session."
Last month, the state government had decided to go for an ordinance to circumvent the Supreme Court order. But Governor Vajubhai Vala had returned it seeking clarification.
On growing demand for separate religion status to the dominant Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, Siddaramaiah said the BJP is spreading "misinformation" on this issue.
"I have no role in it. Don't link this issue is with the party and government. I just promised that I will recommend if any request comes...," he added.