Narendra Modi’s historic quota bill passes Lok Sabha test, Rajya Sabha next
NEW DELHI :In a shot in the arm for the government, the historic bill for reservation for economicaly weaker sections in Upper Caste was passed with a voice vote in Lok Sabha. Except Rashtriya Janata Dal and AIMIM, no other major party Opposed the Bill. While most Opposition parties raised questions over the timing of the bill, they unequivocally supported the bill.
After a long day of debates, arguments and counter arguments, the Centre’s 10% quota bill for the economically weaker from the General category was put to vote in the Lok Sabha and was passed with overwhelming majority. Prime Minister Narednra Modi was in the House when the voting took place.
In a shot in the arm for the government, the historic bill for reservation for economicaly weaker sections in Upper Caste was passed with a voice vote in Lok Sabha. Except Rashtriya Janata Dal and AIMIM, no other major party Opposed the Bill. While most Opposition parties raised questions over the timing of the bill, they unequivocaly supported the bill.Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot has said that the new bill will reduce the gap between haves and have nots in the society. He said all the people from general category who are not covered under any kind of reservation will be benefitted from the bill.
Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot says all such proposals were earlier struck down by judiciary as they were not done with prior Constitutional amendments. He said that doubts in regards with the future legal challenges should be laid to rest.
Rejecting suggestions that the measure may fall foul of a Supreme Court judgment that put a cap of 50 per cent at the total quota, he said the ceiling was for caste-based reservations only. Lok Sabha passes quota bill amid chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai”. Meanwhile, AIADMK MP Thambidurai walked out of the House. AIADMK has demanded the reserved ceiling be increased to 70 percent. “Bring constitution amendment. 9th Schedule immunity is not a permanent remedy,” Thambidurai said.
The quota, for which the government moved Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, is likely to be availed by those whose annual income is below Rs 8 lakh and those who have not more than five acres of land.
The opposition has raised key points over EWS quota. It said that there is no definition or mention or economic weaker section in the Constitution of India. It also expressed concern over the 50% ceiling. It also demanded the establishment of the All India Judicial Services and the inclusion of reservation in the examination and called for a caste census conducted and make the population of SC, ST, OBC public.
“This bill is a fraud on the constitution and an insult to Ambedkar. The purpose of reservation was to give social justice and remove social and educational backwardness. The constitution does not recognise economically weaker section,” Owaisi said.
Upper caste was always anxious in my constituency that reservation never benefited them,” said Upendra Khushwaha of RLSP said in the Lok Sabha, adding that this move will be helpful. He, however, said that unemployment is yet to be resolved. “We suggest that some changes be made to this bill. Preferance should first be given to those who studied in government schools,” Khushwaha said.
Khushwaha also demanded that session be extended for two days and pass the All India Judicial Services too because everyone supports it too.Ram Vilas Paswan has made three demands over the general category reservation. He asked for 60% be put in 9th schedule, will not be challenged in court. He asked for 60% reservation in private sector and Indian judicial service also.
The TMC questioned the government over the reservation to general category. “Why does the Government not take up the women reservation bill with the same priority as this quota bill? This bill is not only about jobs, but also about misleading the youth with false hopes and fake dreams,” Sudip Bandyopadhyay of TMC said.
The TMC has termed the reservation bill as a “fake dream”. “This bill appears as a political messaging. It misleads with false hopes of this country, this bill is promising a fake dream which will never become a reality sans the seriousness of the government. It must be referred to a joint select committee. when sky rocketing unemployment is shaking the country, we cannot keep calm,” the TMC said.(With Agency Inputs ).
