Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 20 (ANI): Karnataka Housing and Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan on Friday defended government's decision to increase minority reservations in housing schemes from 10 per cent to 15 per cent, claiming that it was not a new decision but based on a 2019 recommendation.

'Decision to reserve 15 per cent for minorities in housing schemes is not a decision taken now. The cabinet subcommittee formed in 2019 when HD Kumaraswamy was the Chief Minister in the coalition government had recommended it,' Khan said.

He noted that the central government already follows a 15 per cent reservation for minorities in housing schemes, as per the 2006 Sachar Committee report. 'There was a demand that the same should be given in the state. Therefore, the central model has been followed,' he added.

Khan further elaborated that the policy, recently approved by the cabinet, addressed disparities in housing allocation.

'The cabinet subcommittee formed in 2019, when HD Kumaraswamy was the Chief Minister in the coalition government, had recommended it. Now it has come before the cabinet and got its approval. The existing 10 per cent reservation rate has been increased to 15. There are more poor families in the minority community and the number of homeless people has increased. Hence, there was a demand to increase the reservation rate,' he said.

Khan also cited the 2021 recommendation of the National Commission for Minorities, which had backed the implementation of 15 per cent reservation in housing schemes.

He criticised the opposition's stance, saying they were making 'unnecessary criticisms without knowing the facts.'

Meanwhile, the Karnataka government's decision to increase reservation for minority communities under housing schemes has sparked strong criticism from the BJP. State party president Vijayendra Yediyurappa has called it 'unconstitutional' and accused the Congress of indulging in vote-bank politics.

The Karnataka government's decision to increase reservation for minority communities under housing schemes has sparked strong criticism from the BJP. State party president Vijayendra Yediyurappa has called it 'unconstitutional' and accused the Congress of indulging in vote-bank politics.

In a post on X, Yediyurappa accused the Congress government of turning welfare into vote-bank politics and claimed that the new reservation policy deprives SCs, STs, and OBCs of their rightful opportunities.

'Reservation on the basis of religion is unconstitutional! @INCKarnataka in Karnataka has converted welfare into a marketplace for vote-bank politics. First, 4% quota in government contracts. Now, 15 per cent quota in housing schemes. Where does this appeasement end? This is a dangerous attempt to institutionalise communal vote-bank politics. It not only robs SCs, STs, and OBCs of their rightful opportunities, but also sends a disturbing message that merit, backwardness, and constitutional principles are secondary to religious appeasement,' he wrote.

On Thursday, the Karnataka Cabinet approved an increase in the reservation quota for minority communities under various housing schemes from 10 per cent to 15 per cent. (ANI)