Economically weaker upper caste quota: Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot tables constitutional amendment bill in Lok Sabha

The Modi government tabled a Constitutional amendment bill in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday with an objective to implement 10 percent reservation to economically backward upper castes in government jobs and educational institutions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi: The Modi government tabled a Constitutional amendment bill in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday with an objective to implement 10 percent reservation to economically backward upper castes in government jobs and educational institutions. The bill was tabled by Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot in the Lower House of the Parliament. The articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution will have to be amended for implementation of the Modi govt's proposed reservation for economically weak upper castes. This reservation will be over and above the existing 50 percent reservation. With an eye on the upper caste vote in the coming Lok Sabha elections 2019, the Union Cabinet on Monday approved 10 per cent reservation for economically backward people in the general category in jobs and educational institutions, a decision that came under attack from the Opposition which described it as an election gimmick aimed at misleading the voters. The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took the decision to provide for 10 per cent quota for people belonging to "unreserved categories", including Christians and Muslims, in jobs and education with an annual income limit of Rs 8 lakh and a land holding ceiling of about five acres, highly placed sources said. Calling the upper caste quota an election stunt by the BJP, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday demanded a special session of the Parliament to bring constitutional amendment for the implementation of the decision. "For the economically backward upper castes, the Narendra Modi government has given a welcoming 'jumla'. Such similar decisions have been passed from time to time by several states, but the courts have banned more than 50 per cent reservation. Is this also a drama?" AAP MP Sanjay Singh said. While endorsing reservation for economically poor classes irrespective of caste, the Congress on Monday took a jibe at the intention behind the Modi government approving 10 per cent quota for the "unreserved categories" and demanded to know "where are the jobs".