Current Affairs-Cabinet Approves Bill for quota promotions for SC and ST in government Jobs

Union Cabinet approves Bill providing quota in promotions for SC/ST in Government Jobs

The Government today (04.09.2012) cleared the proposed Bill to provide quota for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, SCs and STs, in promotions. The Bill, approved by the Union Cabinet at its meeting presided over by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, will require certain changes in the Constitution. The proposed Bill seeks to amend at least four articles of the Constitution to enable the government to provide quota in promotions to SC/STs. 

It seeks to remove the term inadequate representation, mentioned in Article 16(4) to justify reservation in promotion and appointments, and also delink the term efficiency of administration from the claims of SCs/STs for jobs and promotions, mentioned in Article 335. Changes are also likely to be made in articles 341 and 342 of the Constitution, following the advice of the Attorney General, G.E. Vahanvati on the issue. 

The constitutional amendment bill requires two third majority of the members present in the House for its passage.

The issue of reservation in promotions was discussed at an all-party meeting, convened by the Prime Minister on 21 st of August 2012, in the wake of the decision of the Supreme Court striking down reservation in promotion to SCs and STs in Uttar Pradesh.

Welcoming the Cabinet decision, Bahujan Samaj Party Chief Mayawati today appealed to the UPA government and the BJP-led NDA to put aside their differences over Coal allocation issue so that the Bill can be passed in the current session of Parliament.

The Samajwadi Party today said that it will oppose the Bill in Parliament. Talking to media, Senior Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav accused the ruling UPA of resorting to politically motivated decisions.

Pointing that the Bill to provide quota for SCs and STs, in promotions lacked consensus, Mr Yadav said it had a political hue to it and had even been rejected by the apex court.

Talking to media outside Parliament, 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