Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Friday approved 10% reservation given by Central Government in government jobs and education to economically weaker section in the general category. The Cabinet also approved 13 other proposals in its meeting convened this morning.

With this, Uttar Pradesh becomes the third state followed by Jharkhand and Gujarat to implement the 10 per cent reservation in government jobs to economically weaker General category candidates.

Gujarat was the first state to implement the new reservation policy in the country, providing 10 per cent reservation to the upper class.

The Lok Sabha recently passed a Constitution Amendment Bill to give 10 per cent reservation in education and government jobs to economically-weaker individuals belonging to the general category, across religions. The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha, with 165 votes in favour and seven against, last Wednesday.

With the announcement, the BJP would be looking for a boost in the approaching general election. The Opposition giving an imperceptible nod to the bill said it was brought in haste and also questioning the timing.