SC refuses to stay implementation of 10% quota for poor in general category

This comes after a petition was filed by an organisation named Youth for Equality seeking quashing of the bill brought by the centre stating that “it violated equality code of constitution”. The plea also sought a stay on the constitutional amendment.

New Delhi: Days after government announced 10% reservation for the financially poor upper castes, the Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine plea challenging centre’s decision to grant quota on jobs, education to poor in general category. The Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna issued notice to the centre and sought a reply from the centre on the same. The court has asked the centre to reply within four weeks. This comes after a petition was filed by an organisation named Youth for Equality seeking quashing of the bill brought by the centre stating that “it violated equality code of constitution”. The plea also sought a stay on the constitutional amendment. "We are examining the matter and hence issuing notice returnable within four weeks," the bench said. The bench, however, did not stay the operation of the Centre's decision granting quota to the poor in the general category. In poll year, the Narendra Modi government had come out with the constitutional amendment bill giving quota benefits to the poor among general category candidates. The petitions were filed by parties including organisations like Janhit Abhiyan and Youth For Equality challenging the Centre's decision. SC to consider listing of Centre's review challenging SC/ST Act amendments: The Supreme Court also said it will consider listing the Centre's review and petitions challenging the amendments to the SC/ ST Act 2018, together before an appropriate bench.