Lok Sabha passes general category quota bill

While 323 members supported the bill, three opposed it.

Opposition parties led by the Congress had expressed apprehension that the law may not stand judicial scrutiny | PTI Opposition parties led by the Congress had expressed apprehension that the law may not stand judicial scrutiny | PTI

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed a landmark bill to grant ten per cent reservation in education and government jobs for economically backward section in the general category across all regions.

The Constitution (124 Amendment) Bill, 2019 provides reservation for those belonging to upper castes, whose annual earning is below Rs eight lakh and who possess less than five acres of agriculture land.

While 323 members voted in favour of the bill, three MPs voted against it.

The Rajya Sabha will take up the bill on Wednesday. If the bill is passed in the upper house, the total percentage of reservation will go up to 60.

Earlier, during the debate on the bill in the lower house, opposition parties led by the Congress had expressed apprehension that the law may not stand judicial scrutiny.

The Congress said that the legislation has been made in haste and has so many lacunas, and that it should be sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee for examination.

However, Social Justice Minister Thaavarchand Gehlot said he can say with confidence that the apex court will accept it.

"This is a historic decision and in the interest of the country," he said.

The Modi government's policy and intention is good and that is why it has enabled the reservation for the poor in the general category with constitutional amendment, Gehlot said.

Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi were present in the house when the bill was passed.