Prakash Javadekar announces 25 pct hike in college seats to enable 10 pct quota
New Delhi, Jan 15 (IBNS): Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar has announced a 25 per cent increase in seats across all educational institutions to accommodate the 10 per cent reservation recently provided to the Economically Backward Section in general category.
This has been done to ensure that the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward class do not suffer owing to the new law.
The changes will be effective from 2019-2020 itself.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) on Tuesday took the decision.
Javadekar noted that all universities will have to include the details of the EWS quota in their prospectuses with immediate effect.
In a major development, the quota bill, which is providing for 10 per cent reservation in education and government jobs for economically weak from upper castes, on Saturday became a law with President Ram Nath Kovind's assent.
On Wednesday, the Rajya Sabha passed the Constitution Amendment Bill.
The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with the support of 323 lawmakers on Tuesday. Only three opposed the bill.
Even as the Opposition claimed that the move is an "election stunt" of the BJP as the country is heading towards the General Elections in less than 100 days, the bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha with the support of the rival outfits. Unlike the lower house, the BJP lacks majority in the Rajya Sabha.
In the Rajya Sabha, the bill got the support of 165 MPs. Only seven lawmakers voted against it.
The demand by some opposition parties that the bill be sent to the Select Committee for scrutiny was turned down.
The bill is likely to benefit a huge section of upper castes including Brahmins, Rajputs (Thakurs), Jats, Marathas, Bhumihars, and several trading castes including Kapus and Kammas.
The economically deprived from other religions will also benefit from the bill's application.
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