by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Modi Govt. ends reservations for Anglo-Indians in Lok Sabha
Bill to come in Rajya Sabha tomorrow
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, Dec 11
All eyes are set in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow when the bill
for extending the reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for ten years will be introduced. The eyes are set not because there is a division within the political class on giving benefits of reservations for ten years to these communities. It was unanimously passed in the Lok Sabha after a debate which continued till mid-night. The issue at stake is in the same bill, the Modi government intends to withdrew reservations for two seats in the Lok Sabha for the Anglo-Indian community.
Two members of the Anglo Indian community have been nominated in the Lok Sabha since the adoption of the Constitution, under article 334(b) since 1952. Now the decades old provision has been done away with as the government felt that the community does not require this reservation any more after 70 years.
The reservation for members of the Anglo-Indian community had been done away with “for the time being”. The issue could be revisited at a later day, if required.
There are 84 members from the Scheduled Caste and 47 from the Scheduled Tribe communities in Parliament which will continue to enjoy the fruits of reservations.
With this the strength of the Lok Sabha will come down from 543 from the existing 545 if the bill is cleared by the Rajya Sabha. The President of India nominates two members from the Anglo-Indian community, making it a house of 545 members after 543 members are elected.
During the first term of the Modi government, two members from the Anglo-Indian community were nominated to the Lok Sabha. With the bill, it became clear that the Modi government had decided well in advance that the two seats for the anglo-Indians will be abolished.
A panel, comprising Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Social Justice Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot had earlier decided to do away with the two nominations.
Ends
