BENGALURU: Amid protests by the opposition against the state government's Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Amendment Bill, which provides 4% quota for Muslim contractors in government tenders, Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot has sent the bill to the President for approval.
The KTPP Amendment Bill was passed in both houses of the 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 sought an amendment to increase the limit of the tender amount from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore, “and to make provision for 4 per cent reservation to be tendered only among the tenderers belonging to the Backward Classes as specified in Category - II(B).”
While Category-I consists of 95 castes, Category-IIA consists of 102 castes, Category-III(A) consists of three castes and Category-III(B) consists of six castes, Category-II(B) consists of only the Muslim community, the communication stated.
This may be construed as reservation on the basis of religion though the Supreme Court has ruled that affirmative action must be based on social and educational backwardness, not religious identity, said the Governor.
"In this scenario, I am of the opinion that instead of giving assent to the proposed Bill, I would deem it fit to reserve this Bill for the kind consideration of the Hon'ble President (of India) to avoid more Constitutional complications, since it involves Constitutional restrictions,” Governor Gehlot stated.
Governor rejects KPSC Bill 2025
Meanwhile, the Governor has rejected the Karnataka Public Service Commission (Conduct of Business and Additional Functions) Bill 2025. He said that the Public Service Commission is a constitutional body and by omission of this provision, the government will have power to make rules. "I am of the apprehension that the proposed amendment is contrary to Article 320 (of the Constitution) and it will curtail the autonomy of the Commission," he said.