10 per cent Quota Bill gets President’s nod, becomes law

President of India Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday gave his assent to The Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2019 which will provide 10 percent reservation to the economically weaker sections among the general category.

President Ram Nath Kovind gives nod to 10% quota bill for economically weaker section in general category. pic.twitter.com/PDvx3OD58u

— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2019

Earlier, the Lok Sabha had passed the bill on January 8 with as many as 323 members voting in support of it and only three voting against the Bill. A day later, it was passed from the Rajya Sabha with 165 voting in favour and seven against. 

The government had extended the session for a day to take up the Constitutional (124th) Amendment Bill.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had termed the passage of The Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, 2019 in both Houses of Parliament a victory for social justice. He said the Bill will ensure a wider canvas for our youths to showcase their prowess and contribute towards India’s transformation.

However, the Bill - that aims to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions to economically backward section in the general category - was challenged in the Supreme Court a day after being passed in the Rajya Sabha. An anti-reservation organisation has moved a petition seeking a stay on the constitution amendment. 

The petition, filed by Youth For Equality organisation and Kaushal Kant Mishra, said that 10 per cent Quota Bill violates basic feature of the Constitution as a reservation on economic grounds cannot be limited to the general categories and the 50 per cent ceiling limit cannot be breached. It sought the quashing of the bill saying that the economic criterion cannot be the sole basis for reservation.