New Delhi, Jan 09 (UNI) Appealing to members of Rajya Sabha to support the Constitution (124th) Amendment Bill 2019 to pave the way for 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections of the society, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot on Wednesday said that it was a ``historic Bill brought with good policy and intention’’.
After 10 hours of discussion, majority parties including the Congress expressed their backing for the Bill that aims to amend Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution which at present provides only for up to 50 per cent reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
However, the AIADMK leader Kanimozhi, who had moved a motion to send the Bill to House Select Committee pressed for a vote which was negated. Parties such as CPM, CPI, IUML also wanted the Bill to be referred to the House Select Committee.
Responding to points raised by members Mr Gehlot said that the Bill does not tinker with the 49.5 per cent reservation that is provided under the Constitution for SC/STs and OBCs.
``We have amended Article 15 and 16 to inckude reservation for those who are near the poverty line and I am sure the Bill will stand the scrutiny of the Supreme Court as well,’’ the Minister said.
He assured members that the intention of the government was for ``sab ka saath, sab ka vikas’’ and it was ``not a show’’ as some opposition members had alleged.
The Bill’s Statement of Object and Reasons said that the benefits of existing reservations under clauses (4) and (5) of Article 15 and Clause (4) of Article 16 are generally unavailable to economically weaker sections of citizens unless they meet the specific criteria of social and educational backwardness.
``EWS of citizens were not eligible for the benefit of reservation. With a view to fulfil the mandate of the Directive Principles of State Policy contained in Article 46 of the Constitution and to ensure that EWS get a fair chance of receiving higher education and participation in the services of the State, it has been decided to amend the Constitution.’’
``Accordingly, the Constitution (124th) Amendment Bill 2019 provides for reservation for the EWS in higher educational institutions including private institutions whether aided or unaided by the State other than the minority educational institutional referred to in Article 30 of the Constitution and also provides for reservation for them in posts in initial appointment in services under the State,’’ the Bill states.
Nearly 47 members spoke on the Bill including four Union Ministers.
The Bill was approved by the Union Cabinet on January 7. It was passed in Lok Sabha on Tuesday with 323 votes in favour and three against.
UNI GP