In a late evening meeting chaired by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday, the Congress government of the state cleared the proposal to introduce 10 percent reservation for the EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) in government jobs and educational institutes.
The state cabinet meeting approved the formation of a commission that will collect the information related to the population statistics and the provisions for the application of this EWS reservation.
The state cabinet also approved the proposals to increase reservation for Other Backward Class (OBC) and Scheduled Castes. For ensuring its implementation, the meeting also approved the clearance of amendment to the Chhattisgarh Public Service (Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Class reservation) Act ordinance. It is reported that the execution of this act will increase the OBC reservation to 27 percent from the existing 14 percent while that for Schedule Category to 13 percent from 12 percent.
Proposal to set up Lemru Elephant Reserve in the Bihar’s northern part was also approved. The Lemru elephant reserve will be set up on an area of 1995.48 sq km and will include parts of Korba, Kathghora, Surguja, and Dharamjaigarh Forest Divisions.
Background of EWS reservation-
Previously, the Government of India had introduced 10% quota for EWS Reservation among General Category candidates in government jobs and educational institutions. It was done by passing a constitutional amendment act- the Indian Constitution (103rd Constitution Amendment Act, 2019).