Protest against clipping of powers of state backward classes Commission

BANGALORE: More than 500 people belonging to various backward class organisations,
protested against the clipping of powers of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward
Classes, here on Tuesday.

Members of the Karnataka State Backward Caste Federation, Samata Sainika Dala,
Karnataka Pradesh Kurubara Sangha and Dr. Ram Manohara Lohia Forum etc gathered in
front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Anand Rao Circle to demand the withdrawal of the
order.

The state government had issued a notification on April 3, reducing the rank of the
Chairman of the commission, from that of High Court judge to Minister, contrary to the
provisions of the amended Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1995
stipulating that the Chairman must be someone “who is or has been a judge of the High
Court or who is eligible to be appointed as a judge of the High Court, or a social scientist”.
The notification had also reduced the emoluments of five members of the commission. The
powers of the member-secretary were also enhanced, leading to discontent. Mr.
Dwarakanath, the present Chairman of the Commission had expressed fear that the post
could now become a political appointment.

“This order is against the interests of the backward classes. We demand that this malicious
order be withdrawn immediately. Otherwise, it will not take long for us to remove this
unjust communal government,’’ said N.V. Narasimhaiah, Working President, AHINDA, an
umbrella organisation of backward classes, Dalits and minorities, and warned about
state-wide agitations in the near future.

H.M.Revanna, Ex-minister and Lalita Naik, Ex-member of Legislative Council also adressed
the gathering.

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