Bill in Lok Sabha to grant special status of 6 districts in Hyderabad-Karnataka region

NEW DELHI: Government today introduced in the Lok Sabha a bill seeking to amend Article 371 of the Constitution to grant special status to six backward districts of Hyderabad-Karnataka region, enabling local reservation in education and jobs, besides development.

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde introduced the Constitution (118th Amendment) Bill, 2012 which aims to insert a new Article 371-J, to provide for special provisions for the six backward districts of North Karnataka, namely Gulbarga, Yadgir, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal and Bellary.

"The special provisions aim to establish an institutional mechanism for equitable allocation of funds to meet the development needs over this region as well as to enhance human resources and promote employment from the region by providing for local cadres in service and reservation in educational and vocational training institutions," the objects and reasons of the bill states.

The bill provides for establishment of a separate Development Board, equitable allocation of funds for development of the region, reservation in public employment through constitution of local cadres and reservation in education and vocational training institutions for those who belong to the region by birth or by domicile.

This was a long-pending demand of people living in the backward region. The Karnataka Assembly and Legislative Council had passed resolutions in 2010 for making special provisions for this area.

The resolutions sought to accelerate development of the most backward region and promote inclusive growth with a view to reducing inter-district and inter-regional disparities in Karnataka.

The Union Cabinet had cleared on September 4 the Constitutional amendment, which would require two-thirds majority in both Houses for its passage.