At present, Constitution has mandated 49.5% reservation for economically backward classes in all castes.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale pitched for raising the reservation level on Tuesday saying it should be raised to 75%, with an additional 25% quota in government jobs and colleges to economically backwards in all castes. "To end this controversy (about reservation) forever, I am going to talk to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and we will also talk to all political parties and see if there can be a Constitution amendment," the Minister of State for Social Justice said on the sidelines of a meeting of National Council of Senior Citizens here.
Noting that reservation can never be abolished, even if some people are opposed to it, he said he has always demanded reservation for economically backward classes from all castes -- whether they are Jats in Haryana, Patels in Gujarat, Marathas in Maharashtra or the Brahmins. For this there should be an additional 25% above the present 49.5% mandated in the Constitution for economically backward classes in all castes, the minister said. "... Economically backward classes in all castes should be given 25% reservation by taking the total reservation level to 75% and keep the remaining 25% open for all. This will resolve all issues of all castes," he said.
However, the RPI(A) chief said the change should be made without tinkering with the current reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs. "Once this happens there will be no agitation for reservation and I am saying this despite being from Dalit community as there are economically weaker classes in all castes," Athawale added. "For once we can resolve this issue and it will be good for the development of the nation," he said. Athawale also suggested that another way to resolve the issue is by according reservation on the basis of the respective caste's percentage in the population.
As per 2011 census, there are 16.6% SCs, 5.6% STs and 52% OBCs in the country, which accounts for 77.2% of the population, while they are getting 49.5% reservation, Athawale said. And the remaining 22.8% are getting 50.5% reservation, so another way could be that reservation should be given as per the respective caste's population, he suggested.
At present, according to the Constitution, 15% seats are reserved for SCs, 7.5% for STs and 27% for OBCs in central government-funded higher education institutions and jobs and even in elections.
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