Bengaluru, March 15: The Karnataka Cabinet has approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, which aims to reserve 4% of tenders for Muslim contractors, according to official sources.
The decision was made on Friday during a meeting at the Cabinet Hall of the Vidhan Sabha, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The amendment will be introduced after the KTPP Act is tabled in the ongoing assembly session, sources confirmed. The Cabinet is expected to present the amendment on Monday.
Earlier, on March 7, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced in the state budget that 4% of public works contracts would be reserved for Muslims under a new category, Category-II B. This reservation will apply to the procurement of goods and services by various government departments, corporations, and institutions for suppliers belonging to SC, ST, Category-I, Category-II A, and Category-II B (which includes Muslims), for contracts up to Rs 1 crore.
Additionally, the government has introduced a new initiative for rural areas. The Cabinet approved the distribution of e-Khata in rural regions, a move sanctioned by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department. If approved, this measure will enable rural revenue projects and households in village areas to benefit from the initiative.
The Cabinet also discussed reforms proposed by the Karnataka Lokasewa Commission, including changes to the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).
