Karnataka may consider caste-based political quota

October 9, 2014

Bangalore, Oct 9: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the State would look into the possibility of providing political reservation for castes, in proportion to their population.

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Speaking at the Valmiki Jayanti at Vidhana Soudha, Siddaramaiah expressed his intention of providing an'opportunity' to the SC/ST?population in the State.

œWe will see what can be done, if it is possible under the Constitution, to provide political reservation to all castes based on their population. The Supreme Court has already struck down the political reservation crossing 50 per cent. But Tamil Nadu has tried it and is implementing reservation across the board for people based on caste population. We will try all options to provide reservation to the castes based on their respective populations,  said Siddaramaiah.

Earlier, Congress MLC V?S?Ugrappa had demanded that the State government should provide seven per cent reservation of seats for the Valmiki community, based on their population in the State.

The Supreme Court, in the Indra Sawhney vs the Union of India case of 1992, had said'reservation to all is reservation to none', and had struck down the possibility of political reservation to each caste, based on their population. But Tamil Nadu, through legislation, has implemented 69 per cent reservation for castes and communities based on their population.

Siddaramaiah said it was his personal opinion that there needs to be equal distribution of wealth and power in administration.

Beware of those deliberately trying to distort history when talking about role models for the SC/ST?communities, he appealed to the people. œBe it Valmiki or Vyasa or Kanakadasa, history has always been distorted by certain vested interests. People like Valmiki, Vyasa and Ambedkar have proved that talent and brains are not restricted to a certain caste or creed,  he said.

At the event, Siddaramaiah and Social Welfare Minister H?Anjaneya felicitated D Borappa (79) and awarded him the Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti Award, instituted by the State government for 2014-15.

The award carries a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh and a citation. Borappa was given the award for his contribution to society.

He appealed to the government to ensure that more youngsters from the community get an opportunity to study, by starting an university in the name of Valmiki.

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: Public transport in Mangaluru is set for a state-led transformation as the government moves to deploy 100 new electric govt buses to replace unreliable private services. The initiative aims to provide a dependable alternative to private operators who have been frequently "cutting trips," leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

The announcement was made by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV during a public phone-in session. The move specifically targets routes where private bus service has become erratic, ensuring that citizens no longer have to rely on a fluctuating private sector for their daily commute.

Restoring the Govt Presence

The transport crisis was brought to the forefront by Ramayya, a resident of Bajal, who highlighted a growing trend of private buses skipping morning and night trips. With the previous KSRTC (govt) services discontinued, residents have been left without a fallback option.

To fix this, the DC confirmed that the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme will bring 100 government-owned electric buses to the city:

•    Phased Deployment: The first 50 of the new 100 government buses are scheduled to arrive by March 2026.

•    State Infrastructure: Two new government depots, including one at Mudipu, are being prepared for operations.

•    Recruitment: The state has already begun training a new batch of government bus drivers to ensure the fleet is operational the moment it arrives.

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News Network
December 17,2025

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Melkar, Dec 17: The 17th Annual Day and Graduation Ceremony of Melkar Women’s PU and Degree College, themed “Fusion-2K25,” was celebrated with dignity and enthusiasm, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s academic journey. The programme reflected the college’s steadfast commitment to academic excellence, character building, and the holistic development of students.

The event was inaugurated by Mr. Asif Mohammed, whose presence greatly enriched the occasion. The celebration was further graced by the chief guests Mr. P. B. Ahmed Mudassir and Mr. Nissar Fakeer Mohammed, along with the distinguished guests of honour Mr. B. A. Nazeer and Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar. In their inspiring addresses, the guests encouraged the graduating students and appreciated the dedicated efforts of the management, faculty, and students.

The annual report was presented by the Principal, Mr. Abdul Majeed S, highlighting the institution’s academic progress, notable achievements, and extracurricular accomplishments during the academic year.

The presidential address was delivered by the esteemed Chairman of Melkar Women’s PU and Degree College, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasized the vital role of education in empowering women and shaping responsible citizens. He also stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and perseverance in achieving success.

Cultural programmes and academic recognitions formed an integral part of the celebration, showcasing the talents and achievements of the students. The graduation ceremony was a proud moment for the outgoing students as they were formally conferred degrees and wished success in their future endeavours.

Ms. Mashmooma Fathima served as the Master of Ceremonies. The welcome address was delivered by Ms. Fathima Nida, and the programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Ayisha Suhana.

The event successfully achieved its objectives and was highly appreciated by the guests and attendees.

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