Karnataka Dalita Sangharsha Samithi (N. Murthy faction) has objected Governor Vajubhai Vala’s decision to reject an Ordinance for making provisions to reserve certain government contract for bidders from the SCs, STs communities.
Addressing press persons here on Saturday, N. Murthy, State president of the outfit, termed the Governor’s move as “anti-dalit” and called upon the government to implement the reservation by making provisions in the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999 through an amendment.
“The ordinance was issued following a Cabinet decision for allowing SCs, STs candidates to bag contracts of below Rs. 50 lakh without participating in the bids. Such initiatives are imperative to economically empower backward sections. Unfortunately, Mr. Vala is detached from the ground and is unaware of social realities in society that is completely divided by social hierarchies. We must understand that B.R. Ambedkar, comprehending oppressive social relations at play, too had in 1942 demanded that the British government reserve some public contracts for Dalits,” he said. Mr. Murthy took serious exception to the diversion of funds reserved for the welfare and development of SCs, STs. According to him, Rs. 6,000 crore funds reserved for these communities had been diverted for other developmental work in the last financial year alone as the amount had remained unused.
“There is a larger conspiracy in play at higher-level to ensure that at least half of the funds allocated to the welfare and development of backward social sections are diverted for other purpose so that those sections remain backward. The government should take the issue seriously,” he said. He also demanded for removal of provisions that allow such fund diversions.
Mr. Murthy alleged that Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree was deliberately delaying the printing of the works of B.R. Ambedkar and sought her resignation. “The government has released a sum of Rs. 5 crore for printing the 21 volumes and distributing them among people at concessional rates. But, Umashree has asked the officials to stop the entire process of printing and distribution. She should step down from her post. Otherwise, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should remove her from her office,” he said.
