Govt Forms Technical Committee Under CS to Resolve Internal SC Quota Dispute

The State government has established a technical committee under the Chief Secretary to recommend a matrix for internal reservation among Scheduled Castes (SCs). This move aims to resolve a contentious political issue ahead of the next Cabinet meeting, where a final decision is expected. The committee will review proposals including allocating 5.3% each to Dalit Left and Dalit Right communities, and 4.4% to specific touchable and nomadic castes within the existing 15% SC quota. Intense pressure from Dalit Left ministers, who threatened to resign if the reservation is not implemented, contrasts with opposition from Dalit Right ministers. The dispute follows the H.N. Nagmohan Das Commission report and the government's previous proposal of 6% each for Dalit sub-groups and 5% for others, which faced legal challenges from nomadic communities in the High Court. The court is also hearing a separate case regarding an enhanced 17% reservation for SCs. This development highlights the ongoing political and legal complexities surrounding caste-based affirmative action policies in the region.