Lok Sabha passes Constitution 124th Amendment Bill

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha has passed the Constitution 124th (Amendment) Bill, 2019 to provide ten per cent reservation to economically backward sections (EWS) in the General category.  The bill facilitates reservation for EWS in direct recruitments and admission in higher educational institutions. 323 members voted in favour of the bill, while three voted against it. AIADMK staged a walkout before the voting.

Replying to a debate on the bill in the Lok Sabha yesterday, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawarchand Gehlot said, it is a historic moment and the bill will provide equal opportunities to those who are economically weaker in upper caste. He said, lakhs and crores of poor from the general category irrespective of any religion, will get the benefit. Mr Gehlot said, the law will not be struck down by the Supreme Court if challenged because it has been brought with the constitutional provisions.

Earlier, moving the bill, Mr Gehlot clarified that this reservation will be given without tampering the existing quotas for SC, ST and OBCs. Initiating the debate, KV Thomas of the Congress said, his party is not against the concept of the bill and supports it, but the way it has been brought, raises several questions on the sincerity of the government. He alleged that the government has brought the bill without proper homework and demanded that the bill should be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Intervening in the debate, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, this is a move to grant equal opportunity to all and will ensure Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. He also said, the bill does not need approval of State Assemblies. Mr Jaitley countered the allegations related to timing of the legislation and cited the Congress party's 2014 election manifesto in which



it had taken about such move. He accused the Congress of adopting double standards.

Union Minister and LJP Chief Ram Vilas Paswan said, it was a long-standing demand which has been fulfilled by the NDA government. He demanded that along with the SC, ST and OBC quota, this 10 per cent provisions for upper caste should be kept in the 9th schedule of the Constitution so that it cannot be challenged in the court. Mr Paswan also asked the government to provide reservation in private sector and judiciary too.

TMC member Sudip Bandyopadhyay said, his party is in support of the bill. He, however, questioned the government record of providing employment to the unemployed youth and asked the government to take concrete steps in this direction. Anand Rao Adsul of Shiv Sena also supported the bill. AIADMK M. Thambidurai demanded that the reservation ceiling should be increased to 70 percent. BJD leader Bharthruhari Mahtab also extended the support to the move.

CPI(M) member Jitendra Chaudhury also said, his party is supporting the bill in principally. JD(U) and Apna Dal also supported the bill. Reacting to the passage of the bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, it is a landmark moment in the nation's history. In a series of tweets, Mr Modi said, the bill sets into motion the process to achieve an effective measure that ensures justice for all sections of society. 

Terming it a part of government's commitment towards the development of all, the Prime Minister thanked all parties which supported the bill. He said, it is the government's endeavor to ensure that every poor person, irrespective of caste or creed gets to lead a life of dignity, and have access to all possible opportunities.