Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified on Sunday that the state cabinet’s decision to increase the share of minority beneficiaries — including Christians, Muslims, and Jains — in government housing schemes is based entirely on guidelines issued by the Central Government’s Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities (2019).
“This decision is not unconstitutional nor an act of appeasement. It is a lawful administrative measure aligned with the central government’s instructions,” Siddaramaiah stated in a media release.
The PM’s 15-point programme clearly mandates achieving 15% physical and financial targets for minorities across all available schemes in both central and state institutions. These guidelines, introduced and promoted by the BJP-led Central Government, have been in force for several years.
“If this policy was unconstitutional or appeasement-based, why would the central government direct all states to implement it under schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana?” Siddaramaiah questioned.
He clarified that the state’s decision does not impose an additional statewide quota, but applies only to specific gram panchayats where the minority population exceeds the average. In areas where minorities comprise less than 10%, the 10% quota wasn’t being fully utilized. Therefore, the housing allotment was reallocated (up to 15%) to areas with higher minority populations — purely for optimal resource use.
“This is an intra-general-category administrative adjustment,” the CM explained, “and does not impact SC, ST, or OBC quotas in any way. The decision was made after comprehensive consultation with the state’s law department and is both legal and appropriate.”
Criticizing the BJP, Siddaramaiah said the party’s attacks were “malicious and politically motivated.” He pointed out the irony that the same BJP, which implemented this policy at the national level, is now opposing its application in Karnataka.
“If BJP leaders object to this, they must first question their own government in Delhi for continuing these guidelines and insisting that other states follow them,” he said.
He warned that the BJP’s campaign is an attempt to stoke communal tension and divert attention from an initiative meant to uplift the poor and underprivileged, especially those below the poverty line.
According to the CM, this reallocation will benefit around 34,000 minority families this year alone, most of whom are landless and in urgent need of shelter. Houses that remained unutilized in panchayats with fewer minority applicants are being redistributed to areas with greater need.
“This measure ensures no house goes unbuilt due to procedural gaps,” Siddaramaiah said, adding that it is a model for efficiency, equity, and resource optimization within constitutional limits.
The Congress government, he emphasized, remains committed to inclusive development. “We reject the BJP’s divisive politics of hate. Our governance is built on justice, equality, and compassion,” he said. “We will continue implementing schemes that reach every poor household — regardless of caste or religion.”
Siddaramaiah concluded by urging BJP leaders to stop spreading distorted, communal narratives and instead support policies aimed at uplifting those in need without narrow political bias.
