Lok Sabha passes bill to restore power of states, UTs to make OBC lists

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Tuesday unanimously passed a Bill to restore power of State governments to have their own OBC lists, with the entire Opposition supporting the legislation.

The Constitution (One Hundred Twenty Seventh) Amendment Bill was passed with 385 members voting in support and none opposing it.

Several MPs demanded lifting the 50 percent limit for reservations, and also demanded a caste based census.

The Constitution (One Hundred Second) Amendment Bill, which was passed in August 2018, gave constitutional status to the National Commission of Backward Classes. However, it also took away the authority of state governments.

On May 5, Supreme Court in a judgment said only Center has the right to update the OBC list. The Bill was then brought to nullify the effect of the order and restores the powers of the states to identify Backward Class groups.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar took note of the demand and said careful examination of the demand for increasing the cap of reservation beyond 50 percent was needed as constitutional issues are involved.

He said courts have repeatedly emphasised that the reservation cap should be retained at 50 per cent. "Therefore, it is necessary to carefully examine all constitutional and legal aspects in this regard," the minister said.

Replying to the debate on the Bill, he said that several members have expressed their views on raising the reservation cap, which was fixed 30 years ago.

The Bill restores powers of State governments to have their own list of Backward Classes.

Amid ongoing stalemate in Parliament, Opposition had agreed to support the Bill which they said is important for the Backward Classes.

Earlier, while participating in the debate, several MPs demanded lifting the 50 percent limit for reservations, and also demanded a caste based census.

Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav demanded the government to remove the 50 percent cap, and also to hold a caste census.

He also demanded caste based census and said "If the center does not agree we (SP) will hold it when we come to power in Uttar Pradesh".

Anupriya Patel, Apnal Dal MP and a minister in the central government, also demanded caste based census.

"If we want the backward groups to benefit out of schemes, it is important to know their exact population. I hope the NDA government will do a caste based census in 2021 to find out exact number of backward groups," Patel, whose party is an important ally for BJP in Uttar Pradesh, said.

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi also urged the government to do away with the 50 percent limit for reservations, and also demanded that Dalits among Muslims should get reservation. (UNI)