Supreme Court to examine validity of 10 per cent quota, sends notice to Centre
New Delhi, Jan 25 (IBNS): The Supreme Court on Friday said it will examine the Centre's move to give 10 per cent quota to economically weaker section of people in government jobs and education, media reports said.
However, the top court said it is not putting a hold on the move, which has already become a law with President Ram Nath Kovind's ascent.
The Supreme Court has also sent a notice to the Centre, which will have to get back to the highest level of judiciary within four weeks.
The judges will hear a batch of petitions which said the economic background cannot be the sole criteria for reservation, citing the top court's Mandal Commission verdict in 1992.
The petitioners also cited a top court's 2006 verdict, in which it said quota cannot exceed 50 per cent, to state the Centre's recent move is unconstitutional.
The quota 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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