Karnataka: Governor sends bill for 4% Muslim reservation in govt contracts to President

Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot has sent the bill which proposes to provide reservations for Muslims in government contracts to President Droupadi Murmu for assent.

 

While sending the bill to the President, the governor noted that the Constitution doesn't allow for reservations based on religion.

 

The Karnataka Assembly passed the Transparency in Public Procurements (Amendment) Bill, 2025 last month reserving for Muslims 4 per cent of contracts in (civil) works valued up to Rs 2 crore, and goods/services procurement contracts up to Rs 1 crore.

 

The Bill that was passed by both houses of the state legislature, despite opposition from BJP, was awaiting the governor's assent to become an Act.

 

The BJP charged that the Bill was illegal as there is no provision in the Indian Constitution to give reservation based on religion. It also alleged that the Bill smacks of appeasement politics of the ruling Congress.

 

However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly defended the bill, saying giving strength to anyone who is economically and socially weak, is the mission and commitment of the Congress party.

 

Speaking at the Ambedkar Jayanti event in Bengaluru on Tuesday, the chief minister said he stands with those who have been deprived of opportunities and those who haven't got justice.

 

"To give strength to Dalits, backward classes and minorities, economically and socially, we have given reservation in contracts. First I did it (for contracts) up to Rs 50 lakh, then increased it to Rs 1 crore. Now we have made it up to Rs 2 crore -- for OBC Category 1, 2A , and also 2B which is Muslims. They (BJP) made it a big issue alleging appeasement," Siddaramaiah said.

India