Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said that the government was increasing quota for minorities in urban housing built by the Housing Department to 15 percent from the earlier 10 percent.
“A lot of flats built by the Housing Department in urban areas have not been occupied. The minorities have shown interest in moving into those flats. Hence, we are increasing their quota in urban housing from 10 percent to 15 percent,” he said while speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha.
“In some urban areas, the poor among the minorities are 20-30 percent. There was a proposal to increase the quota for minorities, and while the others are not showing keen interest in Housing Department flats, a decision to help minorities has been taken. There are many empty flats even several years after construction, hence the decision to increase the reservation,” he added.
Asked about the BJP’s criticism that the move was purely “appeasement politics”, Shivakumar said, “Let them say whatever they want. We are only helping the poor. What should the government do when no one is applying for these flats? The Law Minister will explain the modalities of this soon.”
