The Modi government has recently passed the Bill citing 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections of general category on 9th of January, 2019 in the Rajya Sabha as well with 165 voting in its favor. Now, this has almost (awaiting final nod from the President of India) guaranteed amendment of certain acts in the Constitution of India, after which, its full potential can be exploited. The Bill will undoubtedly be helpful for a certain portion of population, but what is being questioned by everyone is its introduction timing and the political motive behind it.
How will it help?
Since a long time, demands were being raised for providing reservations to the poorer sections of the population that belongs to general category. Finally, a Bill has been passed granting the same. This seem to be a very positive sign as far as providing opportunity to the poors of a certain category are concerned.
The one who is not enjoying any benefits of caste-based reservation system and having income below Rs. 800000 per annum and owning land not more than 5 acres will reap its benefits.
While most of the people are appreciating its introduction, a portion of the population suspect its usefulness as well.
The issues:
On the one hand, it seems very much useful for the poorer sections of the category but on the other hand, the Bill raises many questions as well. Firstly, the Bill is introduced in such a time when the elections are a couple of months away. So, many people are considering it as 'Joomla' of the ruling party. Moreover, the income cap that has been put in the terms and conditions is also confusing.
It states that anyone who earns less than around 66,500 per month, are eligible for this benefit. Now, the question is: How much of the population of general category falls within this range? - The answer is - about 90%. So, technically speaking, if you fall within this range of income, you will gain an overall 10% additional benefit of what you used to get some days back. This is not a huge difference at all.
Why is this done so fast?
As per the political experts, this is the repercussion of recent losses faced by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the states like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. These areas were the largest vote bases of the same, of which, a major chunk voted against them, as per suggested by various reports. But we cannot deny the fact that this step has helped the party gain importance, especially in those regions, once again.
Some are of the opinion that this has been done to retain those voters in the upcoming elections and regain stronghold in the regions as soon as possible.
Similar demands were raised by the Narsimha Rao government in 1991 and specified 10% reservations to be given to the poors of general category, which was soon struck down by the Supreme Court. Hence, this Bill is also susceptible to cancellation by the same once again.
As per the latest report, a petition seeking the quashing of the Bill stating that economic criterion cannot be the sole basis for reservation, has been filed in the Supreme Court as on 10th of January, 2019.
So, it will be hard for the Bill to make the Jury stand in favor of it, for sure.
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