The Union Cabinet has approved 10% reservation for ‘economically backward’ dominant castes on Monday, reports said. The reservation is for jobs and educational institutions.
“The reservation will be given to those economically backward poor people who are not availing the benefit of reservation as of now,” a source told PTI.
The government is likely to bring a constitutional amendment bill in Parliament on Tuesday, they said, adding that the quota will be over and above the existing 50% reservation. The section doesn’t get reservation as of now, the sources said.
Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution will have to be amended for implementation of the decision, the sources added.
According to NDTV, the bill is likely to be moved on Tuesday, the last day of the Winter Session.
The unnamed source told PTI, the reservation benefit is likely to be availed by those whose annual income is below Rs 8 lakh and have up to five acres of land.
Union minister Ramdas Athawale had in September 2018 said dominant castes should be given 25% quota “without disturbing the reservation for SC/STs and OBCs”.
The Supreme Court has capped reservations at 50%. According to Economic Times, the amendment will breach this and increase it to 60%.
The move comes just months ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Congress spokesperson questioned the timing of the move, calling it an “election gimmick” just months before the model code of conduct comes into place.
(With PTI inputs)