New Delhi: After the Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Reservation amendment bill which will give 10% reservation in jobs and education to economically backward sections of the society, it will be introduced in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The opposition called it a ‘political gimmick’, questioning the timing of the decision.
The bill was tabled in Lok Sabha on Tuesday which was passed with 323 lawmakers voting in support and only three voting against it.
Among the opposition parties, the Samajwadi Party, Telangana Rashtra Samithi, Trinamool Congress, the Left and the Congress supported the bill. The proposed law also got the support of Telangana Rashtra Samithi, Naveen Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal and Upendra Kushwaha.
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Here’s all you need to know about the Reservation Bill
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Families with an annual income below Rs 8 lakh, those who do not own more than five acres of agricultural land, who do not own a flat more than 1000 sqft area in notified municipality areas, are eligible for the new quota.
- The bill is expected to benefit a huge section of upper castes — including Brahmins, Rajputs (Thakurs), Jats, Marathas, etc. The economically deprived among the other religions will also benefit.
- “Reservation was always envisioned for socially or educationally backward, on the basis of caste. Therefore Supreme Court’s judgment applies only to reservation of backward classes,” Mr Jaitley said.
- Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati welcomed the reservation move but with a rider. She said that the decision was an “election stunt and political gimmick” ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, but her party welcomes the “immature” move by the government.
Currently, 49.5% reservation in India is offered on grounds of castes to SC, STs and other backward classes (OBC)