he Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed an amendment bill raising reservation in government jobs and education for Other Backward Classes (OBC) to 27 percent from the present 14 percent.
The Madhya Pradesh House passed the MP Public Service (Reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes) Amendment Bill 2019, which will now go to the governor and president for assent.
During the discussion, some MLAs demanded that quota be introduced in the private sector.
BJP legislator Pradeep Patel said Other Backward Classes (OBC) population was around 52 percent in Madhya Pradesh and said quota for them should be raised to 37 percent.
Pradeep Patel also demanded the introduction of reservations in the private sector.
BJP MLA Jalam Singh Patel alleged that Other Backward Classes (OBC) were still backward due to policies of Congress governments, which misled them for political gains.
Leader of Opposition Gopal Bhargava demanded that creamy layer be introduced within the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota so that its benefit could reach those who never took benefit of such reservation.
Gopal Bhargava said a provision of at least 7 percent quota for 'Ati-Pichhda' (extremely backward) under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category should be introduced.
Gopal Bhargava, however, asked the Congress-led state government how this quota would be beneficial since there were no jobs.
Minister for General Administration Department (GAD) Dr Govind Singh replied that 2.5 lakh vacancies in local bodies, state-run boards and corporations will be filled soon Dr. Govind Singh said the 'Ati Pichhda' quota in other states will be analyzed.
The minister said with this amendment, reservation in MP will touch 73 percent, including 10 percent quota for the Economically Weaker Section from the general category.