Parliament approves 10% reservation for poor in general category

New Delhi, Jan 09: A day after Lok Sabha approved The Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, 2019, the Rajya Sabha passed the law with 165 voting in favour and 7 against.

The Parliament on January 9 approved amending the Constitution to provide 10% reservation to general category poor in jobs and education with the government terming the landmark move as "slog over sixes".

A day after Lok Sabha approved The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019, the Rajya Sabha passed the law with 165 voting in favour and 7 against. In the last leg of the legislative process, the Bill will now go to the President for approval. And once its gets his ascent, it will become the law that will give economically weaker sections in the general category 10% reservation in education as well as central and State government jobs.

The Bill was approved after the House rejected a motion moved by Kanimozhi (DMK) and supported by Left parties for sending it to a parliamentary select committee for scrutiny. Against 18 members supporting, 155 opposed it and one member abstained.

The Bill was approved after the House rejected five amendments moved by Opposition members. The quota will be over and above the existing 50% reservation to SCs, STs and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

Replying to nearly eight-hour long debate in Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Emowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot asked the Congress how it would have implemented the promise it made in its election manifesto of giving reservation to poor of general category but by amending the Constitution. He said reservation to SC, ST and OBCs will not be touched by the amendment and opposition parties should have supported the legislation without any ifs and buts. The changes in the Constitution being made to provide the reservation will hold scrutiny of the Supreme Court, he hoped.

Filling up of jobs reserved for SC/STs and OBCs is an ongoing process, Mr. Gehlot said, adding the Bill was an attempt to benefit poor of general category who have been deprived so far.