The fight for reservation has been a long battle and the essence of giving reservation to the general category has been a question for many things. Before the arrival of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Modi government made amendment in the Constitution on Monday and ensured a 10% reservation for the economically backward General category people for recruitment in various governmental institution for jobs and higher education. The last day of the winter session for the Parliament will be held on Tuesday and the government will make this a part of the legislature soon.
Earlier leaders like Ramdas Athawale and Mayawati had demanded for a same rules. But they were unsuccessful in doing so and this is the first time that the Modi government in power is proceeding with such a step. When the Narsimha Rao government initiated the step to offer 10% reservation for the economically backward section, the government suffered severe backlash. In the early 90s this method against the implementation of Mandal Commission was dropped by the Supreme Court.
General Category Quota : Amendments in the legislation
One of the closely related sources revealed, “Narasimha Rao government’s attempt was thrown out as it violated the basic structure of 50 per cent ceiling, this time this basic structure is changed to provide for reservation up to 60 per cent.” The sources further added, “Additionally, a new criterion of economically weaker section as eligible for reservation will be provided for through the Constitution Amendment.”
This only brings in front how the government has been taking measures to bring forward the equality and keep the legislation free from all prejudices. Amendment in article 16 will be made and Constitution will be offering seats for the economically weaker section society too.
As per the SC/ST/OBC regulation, caste was the main criterion for registration. However, in this case, the caste won’t play any role. Specific conditions will be mentioned under the regulation to determine the economically weaker section of society.
As per the sources, the families below an annual income of Rs 8 lakh per year, having agricultural land below 5 acre and residential area of less than 1000 Square feet will be considered to be economically weaker. However, for urban areas, the residential house should have an area less than 100 yards in municipality areas, and the area should be less than 200 yards in non-notified municipality areas.
General Category Quota : Misuse of SC/ST act
Many people over the time have been misusing the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act and the government wants to prevent it. As a result, they introduced this criterion too.
Several protests have happened over the time by the upper caste and the lower caste as well regarding the caste reservation system. Everyone comes demanding their own quota.
Talking of the issue, BJP leaders said that they had been facing hostile upper caste people in various places such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Although the move is a quite applauding one, it seems to be one of the strategies for BJP government to ease the problems of upper caste. This strategy may help them in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.