The Karnataka government has introduced a 4% reservation for Muslims in government tenders as part of its efforts to address unemployment among the community. This decision involves amending the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, 1999. The amendment reserves 4% of contracts for Muslim contractors in civil works valued up to ₹2 crore and goods and services contracts up to ₹1 crore
The move has sparked political debate. The opposition BJP has criticized it as “unconstitutional” and an act of “appeasement politics,” vowing to challenge it in court.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Contractors Association has expressed concerns about the potential impact on existing reservations for SC/ST contractors, although the government has clarified that their 24% reservation remains unaffected.
