BJP’s sops for Upper Castes: Cabinet approves 10% quota for EWS in general category

The Narendra Modi-led NDA government on Monday has decided to give 10 percent reservation in jobs and higher education for those belonging to the economically backward sections of the general category. The move came just ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha Elections and is seen as an attempt to keep voters from upper castes in its fold.

Union Cabinet today also gives green signal to the historic move.

However, the reservation will be over and above the existing 50 percent reservation and the government will amend Article 15 and 16 of the Constitution to implement it, reports suggest.

Sources within the Government said that Centre is aiming to introduce the legislation on  Tuesday – the last day of the current leg of the winter session of Parliament.

“The reservation will be given to those economically backward poor people who are not availing the benefit of reservation as of now,” agency PTI quoted its sources claimed. Additionally, a new criterion of economically weaker section as eligible for reservation will be provided for through the Constitution Amendment.

Unlike the reservation for SC/ST/OBCs, caste is not going to be a criterion for eligibility to the reservation under this new legislation. In fact, sources revealed that the government’s move plan to delineate the economically weaker section (EWS) for avoiding confusion.

Sources further revealed that the EWS category will be defined as families with income (includes agricultural income as well as from profession) below Rs 8 lakh per annum, possessing agricultural land below five acre and residential house below 1,000 square feet. As for urban areas, those with residential plot below 100 yards in notified municipality or residential plot below 200 yards in the non-notified municipal area.

Reacting on the move, Congress Leader Harish Rawat said, “Bohot der kar di meherbaan aate aate’, that also when elections are around the corner. No matter what they do, what ‘jumlas’ they give, nothing is going to save this Govt”.

Harish Rawat,Congress on 10% reservation approved by Cabinet for economically weaker upper castes: 'Bohot der kar di meherbaan aate aate', that also when elections are around the corner. No matter what they do, what 'jumlas' they give, nothing is going to save this Govt pic.twitter.com/PXBwWvNKTY

— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2019

While Congress Leader Abhishek Singhvi termed it as a Poll gimmick. He tweeted:

#Forwardreservation a gimmick 2fool ppl-c last tweet. #Balaji 50% maxima continues 2b law. #TN exception an aberration—challenge pending in sc. #modi never did 4five years+hs no majority 4ctal am. Only misleading nation. AP &Raj exceeding 50% 4jats &Muslims also struck down.

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) January 7, 2019

Former finance minister Yashwant Sinha who quit the BJP last year called it a ‘jumla’.

The proposal to give 10% reservation to economically weaker upper castes is nothing more than a jumla. It is bristling with legal complications and there is no time for getting it passed thru both Houses of Parliament. Govt stands completely exposed.

— Yashwant Sinha (@YashwantSinha) January 7, 2019