Lok Sabha passes Constitution (124th amendment) Bill: Highlights

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Bill that seeks to amend the Constitution to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions to economically backward section in the general category after a marathon debate which continued till about 10 pm. The Bill was moved in the Lower House by Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot. For implementation of the decision, articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution will have to be amended. This reservation will be over and above the existing 50 per cent reservation.

With an eye on the upper caste vote in the coming Lok Sabha elections 2019, the Union Cabinet on Monday approved 10 per cent reservation for economically backward people in the general category in jobs and educational institutions, a decision that came under attack from the Opposition which described it as an election gimmick aimed at misleading the voters.

Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha debate: Highlights 

10:01 pm: The Bill got support of 323 MPs, while three MPs voted against it.

The Bill got support of 323 MPs, while three MPs voted against  it.

09:58 pm: Lok Sabha passes Constitution (124th amendment) Bill to grant 10% quota to 'poor' among general category

09:53 pm: Voting begins in Lok Sabha over the Bill that seeks to amend the Constitution to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions to economically backward section in the general category.

09:37 pm: The government has not taken this decision in a hurry. This Bill will bridge the gap between the poor and the rich. This quota is for every one irrespective of caste and religion, says Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot.

09:30 pm: Provision for 10% reservation to Upper castes in govt jobs, says Thawar Chand Gehlot

09:28 pm: Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot replying to debate on reservation Bill

09:23 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is present in Lok Sabha as debate over reservation Bill continues.

09:19 pm: I support and welcome the reservation Bill and appeal to youths to come forward to support the move by PM Modi, says BJP's Hukumdev Narayan Yadav 

09:08 pm: The proposed legislation goes against the values of Constitution. There is no empirical data that upper caste people have ever faced oppression or backwardness: AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi 

08:52 pm: Reservation for economically weaker sections of Upper castes is nothing but a lollypop being offered by this government, says Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala

08:47 pm: The government's step for 10 per cent reservation for economically backward upper castes is a welcome step. The backward community should also get reservation in accordance with their population, says Apna Dal's Anupriya Patel.

08:20 pm: Those who are from government schools should get reservation first and then students from private schools: Upendra Kushwaha​

08:16 pm: I am worried about the solution to unemployment, Upendra Kushwaha of Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) says during debate in Parliament. 

07:55 pm: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) opposes Bill. Reservation should be on the basis of population, says RJD MP Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav

07:39 pm: Samajwadi Party supports Reservation Bill. Reservation should be granted on the basis of population, says SP MP Dharmendra Yadav

07:35 pm: Amid the debate in Lok Sabha, the BJP has tweeted a video which shows AIADMK MP M Thambi Durai speaking. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan is seen saying that the timings of the House is being extended to finish the agenda. However, a voice is heard saying 'Madam next session mein karein...(Let's do it in the next Session)." The BJP questions whether it was Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge who attempted to stall the quota Bill in Lok Sabha.

07:01 pm: Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan urges Govt to include reservation for Upper caste in 9th Schedule

06:31 pm: 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: Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay

06:10 pm: Have govt schemes for the poor failed? There are enough schemes. This reservation bill which you are bringing will be struck down by the Supreme Court, says AIADMK leader M Thambidurai in Lok Sabha 

05:58 pm: Since the Bill concerns the poor of this country, Communists should also support it, says Arun Jaitley

05:56 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to be present during voting on the Bill for granting 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions to economically backward section in the general category.

05:47 pm: The 50 per cent cap is for cast-based reservation. The previous governments didn't make any serious attempt for granting reservation for economically weaker sections of society, says Arun Jaitley

05:42 pm: This is a move to grant equal opportunity to all. This Bill is applicable to all educational institutions.This Bill will be applicable to public employment as well, says Jaitley

05:41 pm:  Reservation ‘jumla’ was in Congress’ manifesto, says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during debate over Bill that seeks to amend the Constitution to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions to economically backward section in the general category.

05:32 pm: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is speaking in Lok Sabha  during debate over Bill that seeks to amend the Constitution to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions to economically backward section in the general category.

05: 25 pm: We support this quota bill, we are not against this, but the way it is being brought raises questions on your sincerity. My request is to send this to JPC first, says Congress leader KV Thomas

05:18 pm: People belonging to general category who come under economically weaker section need reservation, says Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot who introduced the Bill in the House.

05:11 pm: Lower house begins debate on the amendment bill. 

03:01 pm:  Congress walks out of Lok Sabha during debate over the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016

01:44 pm: Ram Gopal Yadav demands 54% reservation for OBCs

01:42 pm: SP to support constitutional amendment bill , says Ram Gopal Yadav

12:49 pm: Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot tables constitutional amendment bill in Lok Sabha

12:22 pm: The bill to be tabled at 2 pm in LS by BJP MP Thawar Chand Gehlot

12:19 pm: This will be the 124th amendment in the Constitution

12:04 pm: Government to table bill shortly

11:45 am: It is a welcoming decision: Ram Vilas Paswan on government's decision of reservation for economically weaker upper castes 

11:00 am: Congress to support the bill: Sources

10:50 am: Government must also think about SC, ST and OBC: Mayawati 

10:49 am: The decision is politically motivated: Mayawati

10:48 am: The BSP welcomes reservation for economically weaker sections of upper castes: Mayawati

WATCH: Lok Sabha passes 10 per cent reservation Bill for 'poor' among general category