New Delhi: Several opposition parties on Monday decided to support the passage of a constitutional amendment Bill that seeks to enable state governments to make their own lists of other backward classes (OBCs).
“The government is going to introduce the constitutional amendment Bill in parliament. We all leaders of various parties will support this Bill, and we want this Bill being introduced today (Monday) to be passed immediately after a discussion on it,” leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters.
“We will peacefully support this Bill. This issue is in the interest of backward classes and the country,” Kharge said.
Kharge, at the same time, also clarified that the move to cooperate with the government in parliament only applies to passage of the constitution amendment Bill, and does not extend to other issues. “Other issues are a different matter altogether, but we are ready to get this Bill passed,” said the Rajya Sabha MP.
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar introduced the Constitution (127th Amendment) Bill, 2021 in the Lok Sabha. The Bill aims to clarify provisions in the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Bill to restore the power of states to have their own lists of backward classes after identifying them.
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On May 5, the Supreme Court had ruled that only the president (or the Centre) can notify socially and educationally backward classes (SEBC) and include them in the central list for claiming reservation benefits. The verdict took away the powers of the state governments to maintain their list of OBCs, which triggered protests across the country. Until the apex court verdict, the central government had no role in these decisions.
A top official on condition of anonymity told Hindustan Times that if the state list was abolished, nearly 671 OBC communities would have lost access to reservation in educational institutions and appointments of one-fifth of the community would have been impacted. He further told the daily that the move will uplift the status of OBCs.
The central government’s move and the Opposition parties’ support come ahead of the crucial polls in five states – Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Punjab, Goa and Uttarakhand – scheduled early next year, where all political parties are looking at the substantial OBC votes.
Meanwhile, leaders of 15 Opposition parties met at the parliament complex on Monday morning to formulate a common strategy on the Bill as well as issues like the Pegasus snooping controversy and farmers’ concerns as the monsoon session of parliament entered its final week.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was among those who attended the meeting held at the chamber of leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.
Besides the Congress, leaders of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Shiv Sena, Samajwadi Party, Communist Party of India, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Aam Aadmi Party, among others were present.
Parliament has failed to transact any significant business since it met on July 19 for the Monsoon session. Some Bills, however, have been passed amid the din.
(With inputs from PTI)