Lok Sabha Passes 10% Quota For Economically Poor Among Upper Castes

New Delhi: Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the constitutional amendment bill for implementation of 10 per cent reservation in government jobs and education for the “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.

BJD supported the legislation, but party MP Bhartuhari Mehtab demanded that the eligibility of the beneficiaries should be reviewed periodically in keeping with the economic progress of the communities.

What the decision effectively means is that those who are economically backwards and fall under the general category will now be able to enjoy benefits of reservation in government jobs, an advantage that wasn’t available to them previously.

Reports suggest some 19 crore people would benefit from the 10 per cent reservation.

As far as educational institutes are concerned, initial estimates reflect that around 10 lakh seats will have to be added in institutions across the country, including central universities IITs and IIMs, among other prestigious higher educational institutions.

The Bill will now be taken up by Rajya Sabha tomorrow.