Belagavi: In a significant policy push aimed at empowering Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the Karnataka Government has announced reservation in civil contract works and facilitation of special caste certificates for eligible communities, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda informed the Legislative Council on Monday.
The government has introduced reservation for civil contract works up to ₹1 crore for contractors belonging to Backward Class Category-1 and Category-2A communities. In addition, entrepreneurs from these communities will be eligible for loans up to ₹10 crore at a concessional interest rate of 6% through the Karnataka State Financial Corporation (KSFC), along with applicable subsidies.
To operationalise these benefits, the Revenue Department has taken steps to enable the issuance of separate caste certificates (Form-I) through the Atalji Janasnehi software platform. A request has been made to the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to incorporate the required changes in the software, and the integration process is currently underway.
Responding to a Rule 72 Calling Attention Motion raised by Legislative Council member Dr Yathindra S, the minister clarified that the Backward Classes Welfare Department has already issued the necessary notification for civil works reservation. The Revenue Department will now ensure the issuance of appropriate caste certificates to eligible beneficiaries to facilitate access to government tenders and financial assistance.
The move is expected to significantly enhance participation of OBC contractors and entrepreneurs in government infrastructure projects, while also improving access to institutional credit and economic opportunities.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: OBC ಗುತ್ತಿಗೆದಾರರಿಗೆ ಬಿಗ್ ಬೂಸ್ಟ್: ₹1 ಕೋಟಿ ಸಿವಿಲ್ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮೀಸಲು, ₹10 ಕೋಟಿ ಸಾಲಕ್ಕೆ ದಾರಿ
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