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The Cabinet nod clears the decks for introduction of a Constitution Amendment Bill in Parliament, a demand of most of the parties, barring the Samajwadi Party.
The Bill seeks to amend at least four Articles of the Constitution to enable the government to provide quota in promotions to SC/STs.
The previous Uttar Pradesh government headed by Mayawati had provided reservation benefits for SCs, STs in promotions to higher posts in government jobs.
The Supreme Court on April 28 quashed it, terming it as unconstitutional and done without any sufficient data.
Subsequently, when the current Monsoon session of Parliament began on August 8, several parties vociferously demanded that a bill be brought to circumvent the SC decision.
In view of these demands, the government promised on August 9 that a Bill would be brought in Parliament.
The Cabinet decision was today welcomed by BSP, which has been in the forefront in the demand, but Samajwadi Party criticised it and vowed to oppose.
BJP did not reveal its strategy even as BSP chief Mayawati met Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and her counterpart in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley to seek their party's support in ensuring passage of the bill in this session.
The Constituent Amendment Bill will require two-third majority of the members present in each House for passage.
The government had convened an all-party meeting on August 21 to evolve consensus on the issue. At the meeting, most political parties had favoured the legislation but some parties like BJP had suggested that the government should not rush into such a decision and bring the only after carefully considering all pros and cons.
After the Cabinet nod, Law Minister Salman Khurshid said the government will ensure that the Bill is passed soon. "We got it approved in the Cabinet today which shows that we are committed to bring it soon," he said.
Mayawati along with her party colleague Satish Chandra Mishra met Swaraj and Jaitley, urging them to allow Parliament to function so that this Bill could be taken up, sources said.
The BJP leaders told Mayawati that they will take a final call on this issue after discussing it in the party, they said.
Mayawati voiced apprehensions over passage of the Bill in this session in view of regular adjournments and appealed to NDA allies, especially BJP, as well as UPA partners to "help".
"Given the prevailing situation in Parliament, I do not think this Bill will be passed during this session. Therefore, I appeal and request to NDA allies and BJP to help in passage of the bill," Mayawati told reporters.
"If BJP and allies do not heed to our appeal and UPA does not ensure its passage, then we can assume...they do not want that ST and SC stand on their own feet and derive benefit of promotion," she said.
Mayawati said as debate has already taken place on the issue in the last session, the House requires only about one hour for passage of the Bill.
She said her party is not averse to reservation in promotion for OBC or for religious minorities. "BSP will be the first party to welcome this," Mayawati said.
Samajwadi Party, however, criticised the Cabinet nod to the Bill, saying it is "unconstitutional" and accused the government of doing so to divert attention from the coal block allocation scam.
"We object the government's decision. It is unconstitutional," SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav said, while noting that a Constitutional Amendment has been brought four times and quashed by the Supreme Court each time.
"Once again the amendment will take place and will be rejected by the court," he said.
Cabinet nod to SC/ST quota leaves section of Cong at unease
The Cabinet nod to a Bill providing quota in promotion to SC/STs in government jobs today left some unease within the Congress with a section fearing that the move may erode the party's support base.
A senior leader of the party felt that the decision would leave the middle class unhappy.
There is a feeling that the Constitution Amendment Bill would in all probability not be passed during the current Monsoon Session of Parliament and even if it did, the possibility of the Supreme Court striking it down could not be ruled out, the leader said.
The Bill will require two-third majority of the members present in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha for passage.
The Cabinet decision has already been criticised by the Samajwadi Party, which alleged that the government had done it to divert attention from the coal block allocation controversy.
The Supreme Court has already quashed the constitutional amendment four times, SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav told reporters outside Parliament today.
BSP leader Mayawati, who has been on the forefront on this demand, met BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley after the Cabinet nod to seek their support for passage of the Bill during the ongoing Parliament session.
The previous Uttar Pradesh government headed by Mayawati had provided reservation benefits for SCs, STs in promotions to higher posts in government jobs.
However, the Supreme Court on April 28 quashed it, terming it as unconstitutional and done without any sufficient data.
Demand for reservation for backward sections in promotion
An OBC leader in Congress has demanded that the backward sections should also be included in the proposal for reservation in promotion for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe which was cleared by the Union Cabinet today.
Congress MP in Rajya Sabha V Hanumantha Rao, a prominent OBC leader from Andhra Pradesh, said there is a sizable backward class in the country and it should be given reservation in promotion as is proposed to be done for the SCs and STs.
"We should also get justice. A delegation of OBC leaders will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi to plead our case," Rao said outside Parliament House.
He has convened a meeting of OBC leaders tomorrow to discuss the issue. Rao plans to raise this issue more prominently in the coming days.
Samajwadi Party Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, also an OBC leader, had demanded in the all-party meeting chaired by the Prime Minister on August 21 that backward classes should also be given reservation in promotions.
Meanwhile, BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu said there are differences within the ruling alliance on the issue and Congress should sort them out before talking about reservations in promotions.
D Raja (CPI) said his party welcomes the Cabinet decision on the issue and it is a good step. "Government had given a commitment to bring a Bill on reservation in promotions and most parties are in agreement with the proposal," he said.
Asked about SP's opposition to the proposal, Raja said they can oppose if they want to. He said SP's stand will not come in the way of their agitation on the coal allocation issue in which SP, Left parties and TDP have joined hands.
"If SP wants concessions for OBC they can do so but they should not mix it with quota for SCs and STs," Raja said.
SC/ST quota: LJP asks govt to table amendment bill this Par session
Welcoming the government's decision to clear the proposal to provide reservation for SCs and STs in promotion in state jobs, LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan demanded that the government should bring the amendment bill in this regard in the ongoing session of Parliament.
Paswan urged all political parties, including the bill's strong opponent Samajwadi Party, to pass it unanimously saying this should be done in the country's interest.
Once this bill is passed, he said the government should also bring a similar bill for OBCs and also ensure reservation for the poor among the upper castes.
"I appeal to the Samajwadi Party not to treat it as an SP versus BSP issue. This is fight for social justice. All political parties should pass this bill unanimously in Parliament. After its passage, the government should also bring a bill to provide reservation in promotion to OBCs," Paswan said.
The former Union Minister said that when the concept of reservation in promotion for SCs and STs was challenged by M Nagraj in the Supreme Court, the apex court directed the states to fulfill three conditionalities for allowing it.
"While other states gave a statement in this regard, the governments of UP, Bihar and Rajasthan did not do it and hence there is no promotion in reservation there. I demand that the government should do away these riders for providing it when it brings an amended bill in Parliament," Paswan said.
Pointing out that amendments to provide promotion in reservation were brought thrice during the tenure of Atal Behari Vajpayee-led NDA government and once during the Congress government headed by P V Narsimha Rao, he said, "this issue is not related to any one political party. It should not be treated as party specific."
While BSP chief Mayawati has been strongly advocating for the bill, its arch rival Samajwadi Party is opposing it tooth and nail.
I think govt. of india wants that all general category people to live india and go to some other country . After some time their will be reservetion for sc/st in indian military . And petrol me bhi reservetion lagoo krdo st-100% free sc-75% free obc-50% free general-0% free tax.
Hi, Its time to stop reservation now. I believe It will only stop when people getting reservation benefits will request for same and this will never happen. It will continue untill the world ends.......
I feel pity for our politicians.Every five years they make useless and false promises.Sometimes I feel the 5 year tenure is well planned. 1st-Year: If you win.... (by joining coailition or joining another party at the last moment) whole year celebration! 2nd-Year: Relax after tiring parties and waste all sessions of parliament doing nothing. 3rd-Year: If found involved in allegations ..spend time playing blame game. 4th-Year:Start collecting money made by unfair means, and planning of promotion agenda for the next year(finding one good work they did by mistake... or manipulating their sins.... to make poor people fool once again). 5th-Year: time to get into battle ground .... say a no.(infinite)of lies..make politics even more cheap(done on purpose so that decent citizen do not get involved)..and the cycle continues.Rich jobless politicians r in 4th year and so friends...here is the stratergy for their votes... "Promotion Quota in Jobs". Country's interst was never their concern
What's NEW? The reservations in promotions are already in Govt of India Jobs(from Group-D to B). Now they(politicians) are planning to implement for Group - A services might Armed Forces too for sake of vote bank. The Battle will be lead by a junior officer(SC/ST) who got promotion by virtue of his caste/tribe rather than by a Senior officer (General Caste). It is better not to cast our votes to any one.
The Indian Constitution makers proposed the reservations for 10 Yrs only. After independence of 63 Yrs, all the politicians are very much concern about the SC/ST but why not GEN/OBC. Even, the OBC personnel are not getting any benefits(except 3 Yrs in age) at par with SC/ST. They(Politicians) know, the people of Gen & OBC will caste their vote to them even if they again & again rapped/deprived since they(politicians) are not treating them as a vote bank. Merely, getting a promotion based on the caste by some castes/tribes are really dis-heartening and raping the employees of Gen/OBC. I pray almighty "IS DUNIYA KO PRALAI SE MITA DO OUR AISA NAYEE DUNIYA BANAVOH JAHAA PAR RESERVATION KA NAAM HI NAA HO" AUR "YAD RAKNA, MANU(the caste creator) KO DUBARA MATH PAIDA KARNA". When US has become MOST POWERFUL without reservations(they have followed the method of Equal opportunities to all) why INDIA? "JUST ECONOMICALLY BACKWARD CLASS NOT CASTE/TRIBE BASED RESERVATIONS". Jai Hind.
we are indemocratic country all the people should get equal oppertunies irrespecrive of cast and creed.reservations for who are socially backward and poor people is not unjustice.if we move to give reservations on the bases of divide and rule and vote bank policies is not good for society .people would be divided in their cast ,this not national integration
how do they justify promoting a far junior person before a senior person when seniority is the criterion in promotion. A very demoralising decision. General category persons are still there in the jobs because after serving for say 15 or 20 years, they do not have any option left there must definitely be a rethink before the finalisation of the policy which is discriminatory against all general category employees I feel it is a crime to be a general category person in India which is ruled by cruel selfish indifferent persons who cannot imagine the plight of general category employees and simply divide the persons on the basis of caste. We can never forget that there are two category of employees one reserved and one general just because of this act of the government. i hope and pray better sense will prevail otherwise the government is hell bent on making the people always remember the castes to which they belong. This is a message from a helpless employee who finds no voice.
politicians atleast think everyone equal for 1 hr in a day! keeping votes aside!
ultimately the cat has come out of bag.the dirty politician can do anything for vote.while india is emerging as a developed country ,theis dirty decesion of reservation politics,will demoralised the merit and braindrain will hapen.one time reservation can also be entertained in entry level,but at the time of promotion ,it is absurd!
No one in Congress Party has the guts to speak against High Command and hence I laugh when MPs of Congress Party talk of Democracy or Respect of Parliament. Indira Gandhi changed the basic structure of the Constitution when she was defeated in a court case filed by her election opponent Mr. Raj Narayan. When Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her body guard , leaders of Congress Party created havoc in entire country and thousand of Sikh were butchered and police remained silent spectator entire riot for 7 to 10 days. Congress Party under the regime of Rajiv Gandhi amended Constitution when the judgment of Supreme Court in Shah Bano case went against the feelings of Muslim lobby. Congress Party under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi is ready to amend the Constitution to please SC ST lobby because the Supreme Court has disallowed reservation in promotion process. Congress Party is not ready to accept all audit report submitted by CAG, a constitutional authority When MPs of Congress Party talk of respect to Constitution and preach sermon to BJP and other opposition parties, how do you feel? Anyone who speaks against ruling Congress Party is termed by Congress Party as agent of RSS and BJP and any good idea presented by NDA, BJP or RSS or left parties are considered as anti secular, anti democracy and anti national. In fact politicians who are mad to acquire power by hook or by crook can do anything to serve their vested interest , they can appease sometimes to Muslims to gain vote banks and sometimes raise a controversial issue of SC ST quota in promotion with a target to keep opposition parties at daggers drawn against each other.
What should I do to get job and promotion...??? --- General Category Unemployed Youth
The Union Cabinet has cleared the Bill for reservation promotions for SC/ST Quota . Really Do in our developed society in the present scenario there is need for promotions in the Government Jobs as already they are enjoying one promotion in there career .Really it seems that the Politics of Votes and our Political Leaders to grab the Votes of SC /ST are taking such decisions in an atmosphere when India is heading towards a Developed Country .
no matter it is UPA/BJP/BSP/SP,politicians in Delhi are as corrupt,the day is long. inferior/junk quality material used in bridges,roads highways,structurers,by those constactors, sub sub contractors, who allotted contracts to SC's/ST,s lack of understanding specifications,laid down by laws, terms and conditions of the contract agreement partial payments released,wi/out at site inspection 90% inspections reports signed and sealed sitting inthe A/C rooms,CASH BUNDLES,then couple hundreds pass thru the official lower rank route. Bandra/Kurla /bomb bridge collapsed in just one year CWG,in Delhi bridges,highways,road side curbs, roads washed away within 4-6 months...SC,s/ST,c/BJP,s high ranked building contractors fortuneates/winners e-media allthe time expose/complain..
All parties have united to support Caste based Quota in Promotions and Cabinet has already passed the Bill to amend the Constitution. What can be bigger shame? Caste based quota should never be enforced.
When the SC has queried and sought supporting data for such move in earlier occasion, this way of invoking the parliament strength(vote bank Politics) shall do no good in the real sense. This will be another issue for the public to fight out as to the endless sublimits in reservation categories.
how much has quota helped in true sense.......it has only helped the corrupt politicians and those politician who are not corrupt but like to ride on the backseat of corrupt politicians......(our highest authority) .....to cling on to power. I have no respect left for all those politicians who voted for this bill......if there is to be real growth and equal distribution of opportunities........MAKE LAWS, GOVERNANCE IN TUNE WITH TODAY'S TIMES.......HANG THE CORRUPT POLITICIANS, GO FOR TOWN PLANNING WHERE LIKE MAURITIUS....THE POOR STREET VENDORS ALSO HAVE A PLACE TO SELL AND MAKE A LIVING, WHERE PEOPLE HAVE A SINGLE ID CARD, WHERE INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION IS NOT PRIVATIZED............CAN OUR PM TAKE THIS CHALLENGE?. SURE NO......
India should be moving towards removing reservations. We cannot keep adding. What happens to qualifications and high performance. Down the drain. Very bad move by congress with only 2014 in the radar.
There is only one thing left for UPA2 to survive upto 2014, that is appeasement to SC/ST/Muslim. End of the game.... Last ball to bowl.
The real prob with us the stupid common men is that we react to each & every steps of politician of our country. By doing so we even can't do anything against themselves till 2014. I wonder what the hell we can do against in 2014 as we the educated people don't have time to cast our vote, otherwise i don't think UPA could have came to power for the second time. Just forget abt reservations, scams, be it 2G or 3G, Adarsh, CWG etc & etc. Let them do what they want to.
The only survival way for UPA and Congress remains in their side is appeasement for ST/SC/ muslims...last ball to bowl... end of the game/ regime
This is the beginning of the end for India as a civilized country. Also, close down all IIMs and all management courses. What is the point of learning scientific administration when the highest levels in the country take imbecilic decisions for vote bank politics?
ONE SIDE INDIA IS TALKING ABOUT 21ST CENTURY AND OTHER SIDE INDIA IS TALKING ABOUT CASTE SYSTEM. WHAT A POLITICAL MESS IN INDIA.
Indulge in corruption at an unprecedented scale, get caught in scams one after the other, try to brazen it out . Raise the communal flag in Assam, divide on regional lines in Mumbai and now the dalit card for promotions. By 2014, India may cease to be a country with UPA 2 (mis) rule.Thank u Soniaji and thank U Manmohan Singh for your silence, for u are a honest man
For the sake of good governance let sanity prevail.
Now it is sure that mid term election is very near.
