After Gujarat, UP passes 10% quota for economically weaker sections among upper castes

The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday approved 10% reservation given by Central Government in government jobs and education to economically weaker section in the general category. After Gujarat and Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh has become third state to implement the 10% quota for the Forward Castes. 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.

Gujarat was the first state in India to implement the Forward Quota Bill. On January 15, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani took to Twitter to inform about his government’s decision.  “Happy to state that the Government Of Gujarat has decided to implement 10% EWS reservation benefits from 14th January, 2019. It will be implemented in all ongoing recruitment process too wherein there is the only Advertisement published but first stage of examination is yet to held (sic),” Rupani had tweeted.

RELATED

A day later, on January 15, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das announced that the state government will provide 10 per cent reservation in government jobs and educational institutions to the economically weaker sections who are not in the reservation category.

The chief minister had said that the step was part of follow up action on the Centre's decision to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education for economically weaker sections in the general category.

"In the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governments historic decision to give 10 per cent reservation to economically weaker section, Jharkhand government has also decided to provide this (10 per cent) reservation among the economically weaker category in government jobs and educational institutions," the release quoting Das said.

This 10 per cent reservation will be in addition to 50 per cent reservation given to ST/SC/BC/OBC, it said.

Thanking the government, BJP spokesman Pratul Shahdeo said Modi became the first prime minister in the history to give reservation to economically weaker section in the general category and in Jharkhand, the chief minister gave a gift on the occasion of Makar Sankranati with the announcement.

This clearly shows the government is eager to bring the poor into the mainstream of development, he added.  

HIGHLIGHTS

• The quota would be implemented in jobs and admission.
• It will be in addition to 50% quota given to ST/SC/BC/OBC.
• PM Modi had termed the Bill as a victory for social justice.