Union Cabinet approves 10% reservation for EWS of Upper Castes

The Union Cabinet today approved a ten percent reservation for Upper Caste persons belonging to economically weaker sections of society.

According to the Times of India, the reservation policy is for admissions in government institutes as well as for government jobs and will be applicable to those whose annual family income is below the mark of Rs 8 lakh, and those who own less than five acres of land.

Minister of State for Social Justice Vijay Sampla has clarified that this policy will be for the benefit of all persons belonging to the general category across all religions, NDTV reported.

The Narendra Modi government is expected to move a Bill in the Parliament on Tuesday for the Constitutional amendment of Articles 15 and 16, according to TOI. The ten percent quota will be given over and above the already existing reservation slabs and will exceed the 50% total reservation cap imposed by the Supreme Court.

The 9 Judge Bench in Indra Sawhney Etc. vs Union Of India has held that only in exceptional circumstances reservation limit can exceed 50 percent.

This move by the NDA government comes just months ahead of Lok Sabha elections.

Read the Indra Sawhney Judgment below:

Image taken from here