10% Quota Bill Gets President’s Nod, Becomes a Law

The President on Saturday, 12 January, signed the quota Bill, which will provide 10 percent reservation to the economically weaker sections among the general category.

The winter session, which began on 11 December, witnessed several hours of disruptions on various issues ranging from Rafale jet controversy, agrarian crisis to Cauvery river issue.

President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday, 12 January, signed the 124th Constitution Amendment Bill. The bill which provided for 10 percent reservation for general category has now become a law.

The Budget session of Parliament is likely to be held from 31 January to 13 February and the interim Budget is expected to be presented on 1 February, government sources said Wednesday.

The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh deliberated on the dates for the Budget session and the final decision will be announced after the Rajya Sabha is adjourned sine die and the committee recommends prorogation of the Winter session, sources said.

Thereafter the recommendation will be sent to the President.

As the CPI, AAP and the AIADMK staged a walk out, D Raja said, “It's a bill brought in haste by BJP govt keeping an eye on elections. It hasn't been scrutinised properly. I don't think it will stand judicial or social scrutiny in coming days.”

Senior AAP leader S Singh accused the government of “betraying” the savarnas and said, “10 percent reservation has been given to 95 percent of the population with 8 lakh income.”

Singh further said their party boycotted the voting.

Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die late on Wednesday after passing the historic Constitution Amendment Bill to provide 10 percent reservation to economically weaker sections in general category.

The Winter Session, which began on 11 December, witnessed several hours of disruptions on various issues ranging from the Rafale jet controversy, agrarian crisis to the Cauvery river issue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the passage of the 10 percent quota Bill in both the Houses of Parliament as a “victory for social justice”.

Expressing happiness over the “widespread support” for the Bill, he noted that the House “witnessed a vibrant debate, where several members expressed their insightful opinions.”

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, 9 January, passed the 10 percent quota Bill with 165 ‘ayes’ and 7 ‘noes’.

Congress leader Kapil Sibal, in address to the Rajya Sabha during the debate on the 10 percent quota Bill, asked if any data has been collected in this regard.

“If they haven’t collected this data, then they’ve brought this Constitutional Amendment Bill for what?… What this country is crying for is jobs, which will only come with economic growth,” he said.

Defending the 10 percent quota Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad reportedly said:

Justifying the timing of the Constitution Amendment Bill, he indicated that the government will take more welfare steps for the people before the elections.

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien slammed the government during the discussion on the 10 percent quota Bill, saying it “is a betrayal for the youth, the poor and the aam aadmi (common man)”.

“This Bill is an acknowledgement of guilt (of having not created jobs in the last four-and-a-half years),” O’Brien said, adding that the “government is disrespecting the institution of Parliament, spitting on it.”

During the debate on the quota Bill in the Rajya Sabha, AIADMK leader A Navaneethakrishnan reportedly said the Parliament cannot pass a bill which violates the basic structure of the Constitution.

He also said the Bill is a violation of the fundamental rights of the people of Tamil Nadu. AIADMK members reportedly walked out expressing discontent over the Bill.

Congress MP Anand Sharma, during a discussion in the Rajya Sabha over the 10 percent quota Bill, questioned as to why it took four years for the NDA government to table the bill in Parliament.

He also said that the NDA realised it’s going on a "wrong path" only after its defeat in the recent Assembly elections, and that is why, the Bill was being introduced now.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing the Rajya Sabha on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, said that the government is aware of the concerns of the northeastern states. He also said that there were misconceptions being spread regarding the Bill.

“I would like to assure in the House that to preserve the hopes and sentiments of the people of Assam and North East, our government will take necessary steps,” he said.

CPI(M) leader and Rajya Sabha MP TK Rangarajan moves an amendment in The Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, 2019.

Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm after Opposition leaders protested tabling of the 10 percent quota Bill in the House.

PM Narendra Modi, while addressing a rally in Solapur said that the passage of 10 percent quota Bill in the Parliament strengthened the idea of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’.

“Yesterday late night, a historic Bill was passed in Lok Sabha. By passing the Bill regarding 10 percent reservation being granted to economically weaker section in the general category, our principle of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ has been further strengthened,” he said.

Social Justice Minister Thanwar Chand Gehlot tabled the 10% quota Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12 pm after Opposition leaders protested in the well of the House.

Congress leader Anand Sharma said that the House proceedings were extended without the consent of the Opposition.

“The way the House proceedings were extended without the consent of the opposition parties was not right. The situation now is such that there is no dialogue between the Opposition and the government. The government is foremost responsible if the House doesn't function,” he said.

Union Minister Arun Jaitley defended the extension of the Parliament session saying that important bills were left to be passed as the House stood adjourned for most of the days.

“The country expects the House to function. As per normal working days, we should have been working. On most of the days, the House stood adjourned. There is one extra day to consider legislations,” he said.

The Rajya Sabha resumes for the last day amid ruckus created by the Opposition over extension of the session by a day.

Union Minister Vijay Goel said that the Parliament session was extended by a day as important bills were left to be passed.

“The government wants to extend the functioning of the House by a day as there are important bills to be passed,” he told the House.

Opposition leaders hold meeting in Parliament premises over the bills to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha and on government's move of extending the proceedings.

A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs is scheduled to be held today.

Opposition parties are likely to question the Narendra Modi government on Wednesday in the Rajya Sabha, where the ruling block lacks majority, over the timing of the general category reservation Bill and have asked all their members to be present in full strength, sources told PTI.

While virtually all parties supported the passage of the Bill that provides 10 percent quota for the general category poor in jobs and education in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the sources said they are likely to take a tougher stand in the Rajya Sabha on the basis of their sheer numbers.

The sources said while the Congress is supporting the Bill, other opposition parties may create hurdle in its passage.

Samajwadi Party also extended its support to the proposed 10 percent legislation for poor among general category, but demanded that reservation for OBCs should be raised, who constitute 56 percent of the total population, reported PTI.

BSP chief Mayawati described it an “election stunt and political gimmick” ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. She, however, welcomed the “immature” move by the government.

"BSP's demand to provide reservation to the economically backward sections in general category is approved by the Cabinet in an immature way and without preparation. Our party, however, welcomes the decision though it appears to be an election stunt and political gimmick of the BJP ahead of Lok Sabha polls," she said in a statement.

"It would have been better had the BJP taken the decision much earlier. The government is now on its way out," she claimed.

Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said his party supported the Bill, but no jobs were being created.

The truth is that after four years and eight months, the Modi government has “suddenly woken up” to the woes of economically poor as it “faces imminent defeat” in the 2019 elections.

“Modi ji, the Congress will support reservation for the poor. But, who and how will people get the benefit of reservation in jobs when no jobs are being created?” he said on Twitter.

BJP’s ally LJP supremo Ram Vilas Paswan said this is in line with the Modi government's philosophy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.

“Now situation has changed in the society, there are poor among people from upper caste they should get reservation,” he said.

BJP President Amit Shah described the Bill as a “gift” by the Narendra Modi government to the youth from poor families, saying it will open the door for their ‘golden future’.

Taking on the Opposition over the issue, he said it was a lesson for other political parties who had been doing appeasement politics for years.

Shortly after the Bill was passed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a "landmark moment in our nation's history", adding, "We are resolutely committed to the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.”

Home Minister Rajnath Singh dubbed 10 percent quota Bill as "historic" after it was passed in the Lok Sabha with 323 votes.

A landmark Bill seeking to provide 10 percent reservation in jobs and education for the general category poor was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, 8 January, with most parties backing the measure, described by the government as "historic" and in the country's interest.

As many as 323 members voted in support of Bill and only three voted against.

Social Justice Minister Thaavarchand Gehlot sought to allay doubts raised by several Opposition members about the legislation's fate if challenged in the Supreme Court, saying he can say with confidence that the apex court will accept it, reported PTI.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi took a strong view against the 10 percent quota Bill in Lok Sabha, saying:

AAP MP Bhagwant Mann lashed out at the Modi government during the discussion on the 10 percent quota Bill, saying, "At first glance, it's an electoral stunt... This is a jumla of Bharatiya Jumla Party. This Bill was brought to the table on the last day of the session and not the first day."

TMC leader Derek O'Brien took to Twitter to point out that the 'List of Business' for Rajya Sabha on 9 December has not been shared on the Upper House website. The "Rajya Sabha Not in Session" message props up if one is to click on the 'Next Day' (9 January) option in the 'List of Business' category on the Rajya Sabha website.

The government had extended the Rajya Sabha session by a day to 9 January, which was met with protests by Opposition leaders.

Expressing his support for the 10 percent quota Bill, Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan said, "This bill is a big step in the direction of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas.'"

The BJP ally made a pitch for creation of Indian Judicial Services and also sought reservation in the private sector, reported PTI.

Paswan said Indian Judicial Services should be constituted so that there is transparency and people from any religion or caste could get a place in the judiciary.

There should also be reservation in the private sector, he said, adding this should be added in the ninth schedule of the Constitution.

Both the Telangana Rashtra Samithi and the Shiv Sena have voiced their support for the 10 percent quota Bill in the Lok Sabha.

Speaking on the 10 percent quota Bill in the Lok Sabha, AIADMK leader M Thambidurai said, "Have government schemes for the poor failed? There are enough schemes. This reservation bill which you are bringing will be struck down by the Supreme Court."

Meanwhile, TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay asserted, "Why does the Government not take up the women reservation Bill with the same priority as this quota bill? This bill is not only about jobs, but also about misleading with false hopes the youth of the country. The bill is about promising and not delivering."

Speaking on the 10 percent quota Bill in the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley reportedly said. "Just as equals cannot be treated unequally, unequals cannot be treated equally."

The Congress has demanded that the 10 percent quota bill be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Congress leader KV Thomas said:

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has been passed in the Lok Sabha after debate.

Speaking on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said:

The Home Minister also reportedly asserted that the "bill is not Assam-specific", but applies to all of India.

A bill to declare six communities in Assam as Scheduled Tribes will be introduced in Parliament soon, Home Minister Rajnath Singh told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, 8 January.

The minister, while speaking on the Citizenship Amendment Bill, said the Union Cabinet has approved the proposal and a bill to this affect will be brought soon.

The communities that are proposed to be extended ST status include, Koch Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Chutiya, Matak, Moran and the states's 36 tea tribes, he said.

(PTI)

Rajya Sabha on Tuesday witnessed frequent adjournments, washing out proceedings, before adjourning for the day, even as the House extended its sitting by a day till Wednesday.

The Upper House witnessed unruly scenes, with almost entire Opposition on its feet over alleged misuse of CBI and demand for discussion on the issue under rule 267 suspending the listed business.

The Opposition shouted "stop misuse of CBI", while the SP demanded discussion on the issue under rule 267 suspending the listed business of the House.

The SP and BSP members trooped into the well and soon, amid the din, Congress members also joined them and started raising slogans.

(PTI)

The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 3:30 pm after uproar by Samajwadi Party members over CBI probe on its members.

The Congress party walked out of Lok Sabha during debate over the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016.

He added that there are provisions for those who want to be listed under NRC in the proposed bill and that there would be “no persecution” under it.

JD(S) supremo and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda extended supporto the Centre's move towards providing a 10 percent quota in government jobs and education for the "economically weaker" sections.

"Janata Dal (Secular) supports the 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions for economically weaker sections of the upper castes," he said in a tweet.

Women representation in the CRPF and CISF will be made 15 percent while it will be five per cent in BSF, ITBP and SSB, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said Tuesday.

Rijiju said in Lok Sabha that the central government has been working for enhancement of women representation in the constabulary of paramilitary forces.

The bill for 10 percent reservation for economically weaker upper sections in jobs and education was tabled in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm on Tuesday as Samajwadi Party members were protesting CBI action against former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, reported PTI.

The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal and All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 in the Parliament premises.

The BJP has issued a whip to its MPs, asking them to be present in Parliament on Tuesday, 8 January, as it seeks to push for the passage of a bill providing 10 percent reservation in jobs and educational institutions for economically weaker sections in the general category.

The bill is likely to be tabled in the Lok Sabha and the support of two-thirds of members is necessary for its passage.

The Congress had on Saturday issued a whip to its MPs, asking them to be present in Parliament on Monday and Tuesday.

In a major move ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Union Cabinet Monday cleared a 10 percent job and education quota for "economically weaker" sections, meeting a key demand of upper castes, a staunch BJP support base which has shown signs of drifting away from the party.

The proposed reservation will be over and above the existing 50 percent reservation enjoyed by the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes, taking the total reservation to 60 percent.

The constitutional amendment bill would be required as the constitution does not provide for reservation on the ground of economic conditions. It envisages amendment to Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution.