Modi govt approves 10 per cent reservation for poor in general category

The Narendra Modi government today approved a 10 per cent reservation for economically backward upper castes in government jobs and education.

The Union Cabinet on Monday approved 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker upper castes in government jobs and education.
The decision, when implemented, will increase reservation quota to 60 per cent from the existing 50 per cent.

“A proposal for 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker upper caste was approved by the Union cabinet today,” government sources said.

The castes which would benefit from the decision include Brahmin, Bhaiyya, Thakur’s and Kayasthas.
After the approval, the government will have to amend the Constitution to implement the decision.

This reservation will be over and above the existing 50 % reservation, they said, adding that the government is likely to bring a Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament on Tuesday.

“The reservation will be given to those economically backward poor people who are not availing the benefit of reservation as of now,” a source said.

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

If the decision is implemented, the reservation for the General caste candidates from economically backward sections will get the benefits of this reservation.
The criteria for deciding on economically weaker sections would be based on the size of land holdings and income of families.