The bill to provide 10 percent quota in jobs and education to EWS of general category candidates was passed in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The general category reservation bill was passed by Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The winter session which was earlier slated to be concluded on Jan 8 Tuesday has been extended by a day in Rajya Sabha. Modi Govt extends Rajya Sabha session till Wednesday to take up reservation quota bill
Despite many Political Parties terming it as an electoral stunt, “political gimmick”, almost all backed the bill, which, in a first, extends reservation to upper castes.
Earlier, Lok Sabha on Tuesday after a debate that continued for over four and half hours passed the bill to provide 10 percent reservation quota to the economically weaker section of the upper caste, or those belonging to general category.
Rajya Sabha on Wednesday the last day of winter session passed the Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, 2019 with 165 ‘ayes’ that seeks to provide reservation to upper caste while 7 voted against the bill. The AIADMK staged a walkout of the Rajya Sabha opposing the Bill to provide a 10 percent reservation to the economically weaker sections among the general category.
Rajya Sabha passes the Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, 2019 with 165 'ayes'. The bill will provide reservation for economically weaker section of the society. pic.twitter.com/JFLlIfwjOk
— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2019
After 10 hour-long debate, most of the members in the Upper House of the Parliament agreed to go ahead with the bill despite opposition from some parties.
Principle Opposition Indian National Congress supported the bill in the upper House, Rajya Sabha.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday while speaking in Lok Sabha made it clear that top Court has put a bar of 50 percent caste-based reservations, while the bill seeks quota for the economically weaker sections in the general category.
He termed it’s as a historical reform for equality and equal opportunity has come into existence after it gets approval from the Upper House.
With passage of the Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, 2019 by Rajya Sabha, a historical reform for equality and equal opportunity has come into existence. Govt. accomplishes its commitment to #SabkaSaathSabkaVikas #NewIndia
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) January 9, 2019
Vice-President of India and Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu says the Bill fulfills a long-felt need and is a step towards social cohesion. “It helps in the upliftment of economically backward sections,” as quoted. Venkaiah Naidu expresses displeasure over regular adjournments of Rajya Sabha Sessions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he is glad to see such widespread support for the Bill.
Delighted the Rajya Sabha has passed The Constitution (One Hundred And Twenty-Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019.
Glad to see such widespread support for the Bill.
The House also witnessed a vibrant debate, where several members expressed their insightful opinions.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 9, 2019
D Raja, “Our party, AAP & AIADMK walked out. Some parties stayed&voted against. It’s a bill brought in haste by BJP govt keeping an eye on elections. It hasn’t been scrutinized properly. I don’t think it’will stand judicial or social scrutiny in coming days.”
D Raja, CPI on #ReservationBill: Our party, AAP&AIADMK walked out. Some parties stayed&voted against. It's a bill brought in haste by BJP govt keeping an eye on elections. It hasn't been scrutinised properly. I don't think it'will stand judicial or social scrutiny in coming days. pic.twitter.com/jA1kRtosHd
— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2019
Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh said, “Govt betrayed poor savarnas.10% reservation given to 95% population with Rs 8 lakh income&40% reservation under general category given to 5% savarnas above Rs 8 lakh income. In future,they’ll end Dalits&backwards reservation.We boycotted voting.” as quoted by news wire ANI.
S Singh, AAP on #ReservationBill : Govt betrayed poor savarnas.10% reservation given to 95% population with Rs 8 lakh income&40% reservation under general category given to 5% savarnas above Rs 8 lakh income. In future,they'll end Dalits&backwards reservation.We boycotted voting. pic.twitter.com/MTytV9uo1L
— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2019
Congress leader Kapil Sibal says: “The Mandal Commission provision of 10% reservation for economically weaker category was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. If a nine-judge bench held it unconstitutional, how can you amend the constitution?”
Now, the bill after getting an approval from both the houses need to have a President approval before becoming legislation.
The Centre’s move is seen as an attempt to address grievances of the upper castes ahead of 2019 General Elections.