Hubballi: Empathising with the demands for implementing the recommendations of Justice Sadashiva Commission report on providing internal reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said his government would take a decision in this regard at the earliest.

Addressing a mammoth convention of the Madiga community here on Sunday, Siddaramaiah said there had been pressure from all quarters for implementing those recommendations and that he too was in favour of providing reservation in proportion to the population of respective communities.

The caste-based census, whose report would be out in January 2018, has pegged the SC/ST communities in number one position with 24.1 percent share in the State’s total population. Therefore, they need to be given reservation in proportion to their population, he said.

However, when the audience demanded a formal announcement regarding implementing the recommendations of the Sadashiva Commission Report, Siddaramaiah said it was not possible to make any announcement in this regard without obtaining the approval of the Cabinet.

“Earlier, the issue had come before the Cabinet but no decision was taken due to certain reasons. I have told Social Welfare Minister Anjaneya to bring the issue before the Cabinet once again and we will take a decision,” he assured.

But the Madiga community members in the audience began pressing for a formal announcement by the chief minister at the convention. When they resorted to sloganeering, Siddaramaiah just said he was sympathetic to their condition.

Former CM and Leader of Opposition Jagadish Shettar said BJP was in favour of implementing those recommendations and it would support the government if it implemented the recommendations.

Former union minister H Muniyappa presided over the convention.

Tontada Siddhalinga Swamiji, Nirmalananda Swamiji, Basavamurthy Madar Channayya Swamiji and other seers attended the convention.