scorecardresearch
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Support Our Journalism
HomeIndiaGovernanceJunior social justice minister didn’t know of 10% quota bill even on...

Junior social justice minister didn’t know of 10% quota bill even on day it came to Lok Sabha

Follow Us :
Text Size:

Lok Sabha website has details of an unstarred question in which MoS Krishan Pal Gurjar has stated that govt was not considering any such quota proposal.

New Delhi: On Tuesday, Social Justice Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot tabled in the Lok Sabha the amendment bill seeking to provide reservation to economically weaker sections among the upper castes.

But it now turns out that his own minister of state (MoS) had no idea about the bill.

In reply to an unstarred Lok Sabha question dated 8 January, MoS for the social justice ministry, Krishan Pal Gurjar, told the Lower House that the government was not considering a proposal to give reservation to the poor hailing from the upper castes.

The question was asked by Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader Kotha Prabhakar Reddy, who wanted to know “whether the government is exploring the scope of providing reservation for poor candidates from forward communities for education and employment”.

Reddy had asked the social justice ministry to share details of any such proposal.

In response to the question, however, Gurjar said, “At present, no such proposal is under consideration.”

The reply, now available on the Lok Sabha website, gives credence to the theory that the amendment bill was hastily pushed through under complete secrecy.

Screenshot from the Lok Sabha website

Also read: Modi’s quota bill is just a band-aid solution and doesn’t promise more jobs


The reservation benefit

The controversial bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with an overwhelming majority Tuesday.

According to the statement of objects and reasons of the amendment bill, it seeks to provide for reservation for the economically weaker sections of society in higher educational institutions as well as in government jobs.

To this effect, the bill proposes to amend the Constitution, which requires a two-thirds majority in both houses, as well as ratification by state assemblies.

Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution will have to be amended for implementation of the decision.

The reservation benefit is likely to be availed by those whose annual income is below Rs 8 lakh and who have up to five acres of land.

Subscribe to our channels on YouTube, Telegram & WhatsApp

Support Our Journalism

India needs fair, non-hyphenated and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. ThePrint – with exceptional reporters, columnists and editors – is doing just that.

Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.

Whether you live in India or overseas, you can take a paid subscription by clicking here.

Support Our Journalism

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular