Varun Hari Prasad

At a Cabinet meeting held few days ago the Karnataka Government decided to conduct a fresh socio-economic and educational survey in order to revisit the reservation policy in the State. This effectively means that the Jayaprakash Hegde Commission’s recommendations, formulated on the basis of the findings of the survey conducted during the tenure of Kantaraj Commission, may not see the light of the day. This decision seems to have been taken after the intervention of the central leadership of the Congress Party. In this essay, I wish to share a few thoughts on this decision. The Government’s Explanation & its Relevance Addressing a Press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Karnataka Chief Minister Mr Siddaramaiah cited Section 11 of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, 1995, as the reason for the decision to conduct a new survey. Section 11 of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1995 is as follows: “ 11. Periodic revision of lists by the State ...

Yesterday the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for 2025-26. It was her 8 th consecutive Budget and was presented amongst great expectations from the people. It was hoped that the NDA Government led by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi would come up with some concrete policies to help the country emerge from the current challenges it faces. The Economic Context The Union Budget was being presented at the backdrop of acute unemployment, rising inflation, rural distress, decline in manufacturing, stagnant incomes and declining savings. Data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) shows that in 2022-23, youth unemployment was at 45.4% 1 . A study of the International Labour Organisation notes that graduates had an unemployment rate of 29.1% 2 . The Labour Force Participation Rate in rural areas increased from 24.6% in 2017-18 to 47.6% in 2023-24. While the increase in LFPR is good, we must not ignore that more women participation in ru...