Modi Cabinet approves 10% reservation for economically weaker section in general category
With an at the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Modi government on Monday approved 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker people among general category in government jobs and educational institutions. To implement the decision, the NDA government will require to push for a Constitutional amendment to increase the limit of quota from a maximum of 50 per cent to 60 per cent. According to sources, the government could move the amendment in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The decision, taken months before the Lok Sabha Polls due in April-May, is likely to help NDA woo the upper caste Hindus back into its camp before elections. The 10 per cent reservation is, however, not only meant for 'upper caste' or just Hindus.The approved quota is intended for all those communities/classes that do not come under 50 per cent quota. It will be for all communities - for the economically backwards among Hindus, Muslims, Christians etc. This will not affect the reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs.
"The reservation will be given to those economically backward poor people who are not availing the benefit of reservation as of now," a source explained to PTI. The reservation benefit is likely to be availed by those whose annual income is below Rs 8 lakh and have up to five acres of land, he said.
Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution will have to be amended for implementation of the decision, the sources added.
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Eligibility criteria for reservation:
To be eligible for general category reservation, the person can at max possess:
-Annual income below 8 lakh
-Agriculture land below 5 acre
-Residential house below 1000 sq ft.
-Residential plot below 100 yards in notified municipality
-Residential plot below 200 yards in non notified municipality area
Reactions:
Congress terms 10 per cent quota 'a poll jumla'
Congress leader Harish Rawat termed the 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker among general category a jumla. "'Bohot der kar di meherbaan aate aate', that also when elections are around the corner. No matter what they do, what 'jumlas' they give, nothing is going to save this government," he told news agency ANI.
'Last arrow in the PM’s quiver'
Not buying into the Modi government's pre-poll quota move, Hardik Patel called the decision 'PM's Last Arrow'. Lashing out at the incumbent government, Patidar agitation leader Hardik Patel says this was the “last arrow in the PM’s quiver”.
Poll bugle has sounded: Omar Abdullah
"Reservation for economically backward upper castes. The bugle announcing the elections has well & truly sounded," the National Conference chief tweeted using his official handle @OmarAbdullah .
AAP welcomes 10 per cent reservation
Aam Aadami Party's chief Arvind Kejriwal and spokesperson Sanjay Singh welcomed the decision of 10 per cent reservation to general category. The two leaders hailed the decision, while urging the Centre to bring the amendment quickly, 'otherwise it is just an election gimmick', they said on social media site Twitter.
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