The Union cabinet on Monday cleared a 10 percent reservation in government jobs for “economically weaker” sections, which would also include those from upper castes.

According to PTI, Social Justice Minister Thavarchand Gehlot is likely to table the bill in Parliament on Tuesday and for the first time provide for non-caste, non-religion based reservation.

HERE IS WHAT THE RESERVATION MEANS AND HOW IT WAS RECEIVED

1 The newly proposed reservation will be over and above the existing 50 percent reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. With this, reservation in government jobs will stand at 60 percent.

2 The bill seeks to amend Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution, introducing a clause for reservation for economically weaker sections in educational institutions and government jobs.

3 Those with an annual income below Rs 8 lakh and not owning more than five acres of agricultural land will be eligible for the reservation. They should also not own a flat more than 1000 sqft area in notified municipality areas.

4 Many in the Opposition called the move an election gimmick done keeping in mind the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, but some also extended support for the reservation that has remained a strong demand among upper castes and several political parties.

5 Congress is likely to not oppose the bill in Parliament. Party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “The son or daughter of a person who is economically poor should get their share in education and employment. We will support all the steps for this.”

6 Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal demanded that the NDA government immediately extend the ongoing Parliament session and make it a law immediately; else it is “merely an election stunt”.

7 Brahmins, Rajputs (Thakurs), Jats, Marathas, Bhumihars, trading castes, Kapus and Kammas among other upper castes are likely to benefit from this reservation. Many among these castes, especially Jats and Marathas, have been staging massive protests demanding reservation.

8 Poor members among other religions will also benefit from the reservation.

9 The move is bound to impact the Lok Sabha elections due in some months as this has been a longstanding demand for upper castes

10 Experts say BJP may have been pushed by its recent defeats in three heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, where the party had been in power for some time.

Courtesy by : Daily Hunt