EWS quota could soon get age and attempt relaxation like SCs, STs, OBCs
Governance

EWS quota could soon get age and attempt relaxation like SCs, STs, OBCs

Modi govt is believed to be “actively exploring” the option of extending age and attempt benefits to the EWS category.

   
Protest against caste-based reservation

File photo of a protest against caste-based reservation | PTI

New Delhi: The Modi government is planning to extend age and attempt relaxations for candidates seeking entry to educational institutions and government jobs under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota, ThePrint has learnt.

“There have been several demands from job-seekers and from within the government to give benefits to the EWS,” said a government official who did not want to be named.

“Earlier, the government was not considering them, but since the demands have only grown over the last one year, the option is being actively explored.”

Sources in the government said the EWS quota, which was carved out by the government last year just before the Lok Sabha polls, could soon come with benefits given to other deprived sections — the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.

For example, at present, an SC or ST candidate is allowed unlimited attempts to clear government exams until the age of 37, while OBC aspirants can make nine attempts until they turn 35. These benefits are apart from the 50 per cent reservation for SC/ST and OBC candidates in educational institutions and government jobs.


Also read: Final call on 10% EWS quota lies with states, can’t enforce it, Modi govt tells SC


General Category candidates are allowed six attempts until the age of 32.

Although EWS category candidates were given 10 per cent quota in educational institutions and government jobs last year, the number of attempts and their age limit was kept the same as the General Category.

The government’s logic then was that even in the past, reserved categories were not given complimentary benefits of reservation immediately, and that due time was given to gauge the progress of the community with just reservation. Later, if the need was felt, other benefits were granted.

However, several people from the EWS category were upset by the government’s decision to not grant additional benefits, and several of them had made representations about the futility of reservations without these benefits.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which had been pushing for these benefits, had forwarded these representations to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). The department, however, was not inclined to extend the benefits immediately. As reported by ThePrint, DoPT Minister Jitendra Singh wrote to the social justice ministry turning down the demand.

The government’s reconsideration on the issue comes just days after it told the Supreme Court that the decision to implement the 10 per cent EWS quota would rest with state governments.

The quota, announced in January 2019, applies to households with a combined annual income of less than Rs 8 lakh, those who hold less than five acres of agricultural land, whose houses are under 1,000 sq ft, and who own land not exceeding 100 yards in municipal areas, and 200 yards in non-municipal areas.


Also Read: Why upper castes polish shoes or sweep roads when protesting quota for Dalits and OBCs