Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Government on Monday decided to grant 10 percent reservation in education and government jobs to economically-weaker sections of upper castes across religions.
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Government on Monday decided to grant 10 percent reservation in education and government jobs to economically-weaker sections of upper castes across religions.
The decision taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, surpasses the 50 percent limit set by the Supreme Court.
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said his party will support the NDA government on the constitutional amendment bill for giving 10 per cent quota to "economically weaker" sections and demanded that the ongoing Parliament session be extended for the purpose.
The Delhi chief minister also said that if the Centre drags its feet over the issue, then the constitutional amendment bill will be "merely an election stunt".
In a major move ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Union Cabinet Monday cleared a 10 per cent job and education quota for "economically weaker" sections, meeting a key demand of upper castes, a staunch BJP support base which has shown signs of a drift from the party.
A top government functionary said a constitutional amendment bill will be tabled in Parliament Tuesday, the last day of the Winter Session.
"The govt shud extend Parl session and bring constitutional amendment immediately. Else it is merely an election stunt (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted.
I agree. The govt shud extend Parl session and bring constitutional amendment immediately. Else it is merely an election stunt. https://t.co/J5weTkG5cA
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 7, 2019
Source: PTI
1. Who will it benefit?
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"A proposal for 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker upper caste was approved by the Union cabinet today," government sources said.
For implementation of the decision, the Constitution will have to be amended as the Supreme Court had in 1992 put a ceiling of 50 percent on caste-based reservation.
The immensely significant decision, based on the economic criteria rather than social or religion basis, comes just months ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
It will benefit upper castes of not only Hindus but also Muslims and Christians, a government source said.
Source: PTI
2. What's the criteria?
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The criteria for availing of the benefits include annual family income of up to Rs 8 lakh and agriculture land up to 5 acre, the source added.
Among the Hindus, the castes which would benefit from the decision include Brahmin, Banya, Bhaiyya, Thakurs and Kayasthas, the source said.
Welcoming the decision, BJP MP and Dalit leader Udit Raj told ANI that the 50 percent bar on quota is not a Constitutional binding and reservation can be provided even up to 70 percent.
In this context, he cited the example of Tamil Nadu, the state has reservation of up to 69 percent.
Source: PTI
3. Allies praise move
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Hailing the government's decision to give 10 per cent quota to "economically weaker" sections from the general category, the BJP and its allies Monday termed it a "historic" step and "masterstroke".
BJP vice-president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe described the reservation for upper castes as a step to widen the social justice net.
"Congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the historic decision of extending job quotas for economically weaker sections. A commendable step widening the social justice net and underscoring the inclusive approach of the government," he said.
BJP general secretary Kailash Vijaywargiya said the decision has opened a new chapter in the history of social change.
Applauding Modi for the decision, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and BJP's ally RPI(Athawale) leader Ramdas Athawale described the decision as a masterstroke which could end the difference between the upper and lower caste.
"The issue of reservation caused a lot of conflict between Dalits and Savarnas. My demand has always been for 25 per cent reservation for the upper caste poor, 10 per cent is a good initiative. It is a masterstroke and Modi is a strong batsman," Athawale, who is a Dalit leader from Maharashtra, said.
Another BJP ally and LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan also welcomed the decision and termed it as historic.
BJP leader and Minister of State for Social Justice Vijay Sampla said the proposed law will help economically weaker upper caste sections whose annual earning is lower than Rs 8 lakhs and who possess less than 5 acres of land. It will not affect reservation of other categories, he added.
Source: PTI
4. Mayawati supports decision but says election stunt
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BSP Chief Mayawati on Tuesday welcomed the reservation announced by the Centre for economically weaker sections of upper caste. However, she called the move a 'political stunt.'
She raised question about why the decision was taken by PM Modi's government at the fag end of their term. She said that this decision doesn't come with clean intent and is merely an electoral stunt, otherwise the government would have implemented the quota long time back.
