Polls in view, Cabinet approves 10% job quota for ‘economically weaker’ upper castes

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Narendra Modi-led NDA government on Monday decided to amend the Constitution and give 10 per cent reservation to the ‘economically backward’ upper castes in direct recruitment in government services and admission to higher educational institutions. 

The government is aiming to introduce the legislation tomorrow (January 8, 2019), the last day of the current leg of the winter session of Parliament. The move is being seen as a step to consolidate the upper caste votes before the country goes for Lok Sabha polls in a few months from now. 

As per reports, the Union Cabinet approved the plan today and this reservation will be over and above the existing 50 per cent.

“The reservation will be given to those economically backward poor people who are not availing the benefit of reservation as of now,” news agency PTI quoted its sources as saying. Various media reports claimed that those whose family income is below Rs 8 lakh per annum and belong to the upper castes will be eligible for the reservation. 

In its first reaction to the quota move, the Congress dubbed it a “poll gimmick” and questioned how the government was planning to juggle the numbers for the same since the Supreme Court had placed a 50 per cent limit on quotas. In a tweet, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi questioned why the government waited four years and eight months to announce the move.

See last two tweets re reservation 4forwards? Qs—did u nt think of this for 4 yrs 8 mths? so obviously thought of as election gimmick 3mths b4 model code! (3) u know u cannot exceed 50% maxima so it is done only to posture tht u tried unctal thing (4) do u hv majority 4ctal am?

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) January 7, 2019

Former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha also tweeted on the decision: 

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

Down To Earth has reported on the issue of reservations earlier as well. Read reports here and here.

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