Bengaluru: The decision to reserve 15 per cent in housing schemes for the minority community is not a new one as it was recommended back in 2019 by a cabinet sub-committee formed during the coalition government led by then Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, said Housing and Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan.
In a statement, he clarified that according to the Sachar Committee report, the central government already provides 15 per cent reservation for minorities in housing schemes. There was a demand to implement a similar model in the state as well, hence the central model has been adopted, he added.
The cabinet sub-committee that was constituted during the 2019 coalition government had made this recommendation. Now, the proposal has been brought before the cabinet and approved. The existing reservation of 10 per cent has now been increased to 15 per cent.
The minister said a large number of poor families exist within the minority community and many are without proper housing. Therefore, there was a longstanding demand to increase the reservation percentage.
He also pointed out that the National Commission for Minorities in 2021 had recommended the implementation of 15 per cent reservation.
“Without understanding these factual points, the opposition parties are making unnecessary criticisms, which is not appropriate,” said Khan.
