Modi govt approves 10 per cent reservation for poor in general category

The Narendra Modi government today approved a 10 per cent reservation for economically backward upper castes in government jobs and education. A proposal for 10 per cent reservation for those who are economically backward or weaker and fall under the general category was approved by the Union cabinet today.

Following the cabinet approval, the Narendra Modi government will now move to amend the Constitution in order to grant this 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker in the general category.

In order to do so, the government will amend Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution. These two amendments will provide reservation of not more than 10 per cent to the economically weaker sections among castes that fall under the general category. This would benefit several upper castes across the country.

What the decision effectively means that those who are economically backwards and fall under the general category will now be able to enjoy benefits of reservation in government jobs, an advantage that wasn't available to them previously.

The 10 per cent reservation will be available to those who meet a certain standard qualifying them as economically backward. This qualification will be based on the value of assets held by a person and/or their annual income.

A person will be qualified as economically weaker if:

• Their annual income is below Rs 8 lakh,
• They own agricultural land of less than five hectres
• They own homes smaller than 1,000 sq. ft.
• They own residential plots below 109 yards in notified municipality
• They own residential plot below 209 yards in non notified municipality area

It remains to be seen whether the government will be able to get bills amending the Constitution passed in Parliament. The bills would need to be passed by both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, both of which have largely been non-functional during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.

The Modi cabinet's decision to grant 10 per cent reservation to those who are economically backwards comes months ahead of the crucial 2019 Lok Sabha election where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be seeking a second term in office.

Recent wins by the primary opposition party, the Congress, in three Hindi heartland states have raised questions over whether the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party will truly be invincible in the upcoming general elections.

REACTIONS

Welcoming the decision, noted Dalit leader Kancha Ilaiah said that he had no problems with the pro-poor decision taken by the Narendra Modi government.

Rajya Sabha MP KTS Tulsi, on the other hand, termed the decision a "joke" and accused the Modi government of trying to "fool the people". Tulsi also expressed doubts of whether the Modi government would be able to get the Constitutional amendments passed in Parliament.

Meanwhile, Union minister and BJP ally Ramdas Athawale said, "The government has taken a very good decision, which would help large section of society, who are economically backward among different upper caste."