Lok Sabha today passed the bill to provide 10 per cent quota in jobs and education to general category candidates who belong to economically weaker sections. Most of the opposition parties backed the bill, but alleged the move to provide reservation to the economically weaker sections to be a political gimmick, in a four-and-half-hour debate. The bill, in a first, extends reservation to upper castes.
The bill will likely be presented in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow, where the bill stands a fair chance. The Rajya Sabha session has been extended till Wednesday, while the winter session of the Lok Sabha has been adjourned till the next session.
The bill in the Lok Sabha was passed with 323 lawmakers voting for it and three voting against it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi were both present and voting.
Among the opposition parties, the Samajwadi party, Telangana Rashtriya Samithi, Trinamool Congress, the Left and the Congress said they would support the bill. Among others, Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal or BJD, Telangana Rashtra Samithi and Upendra Kushwaha, who walked out of the NDA last month, supported the bill.
Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM and Tamil Nadu's AIADMK opposed the bill. The AIADMK walked out of the house ahead of the voting.
Here are the highlights on discussion on quota bill in Lok Sabha:
Congratulations to PM @narendramodi ji & Lok Sabha members for passing The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019 - an historic, path-breaking measure that will help empower economically weaker sections of society; truly 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'!
- Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) January 8, 2019
We are resolutely committed to the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.'
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 8, 2019
It is our endeavour to ensure that every poor person, irrespective of caste or creed gets to lead a life of dignity, and gets access to all possible opportunities.
"I also appreciate those MP colleagues who enriched today's debate with their views," he said.
I thank MPs from all the parties who supported The Constitution (One Hundred And Twenty-Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 8, 2019
I also appreciate those MP colleagues who enriched today's debate with their views.
The passage of The Constitution (One Hundred And Twenty-Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha is a landmark moment in our nation's history.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 8, 2019
It sets into motion the process to achieve an effective measure that ensures justice for all sections of society.
Read Here: Quota Bill 10 Points: 10 Per Cent Quota For Economically Weak In General Category Cleared By Lok SabhaAhead of the general elections, a bill to provide 10 per cent quota in jobs and education to general category candidates who belong to economically weaker sections was passed by the Lok Sabha today. The bill, which, in a first, will extend reservation to upper castes, is likely to be presented in Rajya Sabha tomorrow.
The National Conference (NC) vice-president also trained his guns on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the government introducing the reservation bill in Parliament on the last day of the Winter Session, saying "had PM been sincere, he would not have waited for nearly four and a half years", according to PTI.
"You (BJP) have majority in Parliament for past four and half years, but you did not find it (bill) necessary. But on the last day of the last session of the current Lok Sabha, you (BJP government) bring this bill and create a new category. It is straight way poltics being done and people are being fooled", Abdullah told reporters.
In an interview to ANI, Mr Shah underlined that the new reservation quota will benefit crores of youth in the country in education and employment sectors.
"It will give great relief to people who have an annual income less than Rs 8 lakhs. Crores of youth will have benefits from this reservation in education and jobs. The reservation of 50 per cent for SC, ST, and OBCs remains unaffected with this decision," he said.
