New Delhi: After tabling a report on the caste survey, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told the state assembly that he was in favour of raising the quotas for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in the state.
The chief minister proposed to increase the reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, as well Other Backward Classes and Extremely Backward Classes, to 65 per cent, up from 50 percent.
The proposal will take state quotas past the 50 per cent ceiling set by the Supreme Court.
"The 50% (reservation) should be increased to at least 65%. The upper caste has 10% already (EWS). So 65 and 10 make 75%. The remaining would be 25%. Earlier, 40% was free now it would be 25%. The reservation for backward class and extreme backward class, ST-SC should be done 65% instead of 50%, this is my proposal," he said in the Bihar Assembly.
He also demanded special status for Bihar state so that it can move forward and also appealed to the Centre to conduct a caste-based census across the country, according to ANI.
While addressing the Winter session of the Bihar Assembly, he said, "When caste-based census has not been conducted till now in the country, then how come you (opposition) all are saying that some castes have increased and some have decreased? This is bogus talk. We will also appeal to the Central Government to conduct a caste-based census in the entire country so that policy can be made for everyone. Bihar is a poor state, hence give it the status of a special state so that it can move forward."
Furthermore, he shared data from the caste-based report and announced the state government's policies for the same, reported ANI.
"According to this report, 59.13 per cent of people in Bihar own houses. Approximately 40 lakh people are living in slums. 63,850 people have no house. By carrying out a campaign they will also be provided houses. More than 94 lakh families are economically poor, all of them will get a grant of Rs 2 lakh from the state so that they can start some work," Nitish added.
BJP On Caste Survey
Bihar BJP President Samrat Chaudhary said that the party gave its full support to the increase in the reservation limits in the state.
Reacting to Nitish Kumar's proposal, Chaudhary said, "BJP gave its full support to the increase the reservation limits in Bihar...The 16% reservation to the SC should be increased to 20%. We requested that the 1% reservation for the ST should be increased to 2%. BJP has always extended support to any party when it is for reservation."
BJP leader Sushil Modi said, "If the rights of the Extremely Backward Classes are not safeguarded, the increased reservation would not be beneficial to them... Ward wise and Panchayat wise data should be published... We will also raise this in the assembly... The government did not say anything about the reservation in Panchayat and civic body elections. We want them to bring a bill regarding this the day after tomorrow... In Panchayat, the reservation is 37%, but it can be easily 50% or more."
Meanwhile, BJP leader Vijay Sinha said that the saffron party has always worked for the rights of the poor.
"BJP has supported & worked for the rights of the poor. But this government has neither intentions nor policies. BJP has always supported. We openly said that we would support the proposals brought," he said.