New Delhi, January 10: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court today challenging the Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, 2019 which promises 10 percent reservations for an economically weaker section in the general category. The petition was filed by Youth For Equality organisation and Kaushal Kant Mishra. In the petition, it is mentioned that the economic criterion cannot be the sole basis for reservation. Mayawati Slams Modi Govt Over 10 Per Cent Upper Caste Reservation, Says ‘It Is an Election Stunt and Political Gimmick’.

The plea also said that the bill violated the basic principle of the Constitution that reservation on economic grounds cannot be limited to the general categories and more than 50 percent ceiling limit cannot be crossed.

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the bill. A total of 165 Members of Parliament (MPs) voted in favour of the bill, while only seven lawmakers voted against it. The provision will become law once President Ram Nath Kovind signs it. During the debate on the bill, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the measure will be applicable to both central and state jobs. The upper house also rejected DMK MP Kanimozhi's proposal to send the bill to Select Committee.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed happiness over the smooth passage of the Quota Bill. He termed it a victory for social justice. On Tuesday, the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with a brute majority. Out 321 Members of Parliament (MPs) who participated in the voting, 316 voted in its favour, whereas, only five lawmakers voted against it.

According to estimates, the Bill is expected to benefit a population of 190 million categorised under the upper castes. The eligibility criteria includes: annual income below Rs 8 lakh, house smaller than 1,000 square feet and farmland less than 5 acres.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 10, 2019 03:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).