RS passes SC/ST promotion quota bill

New Delhi: A Constitution amendment bill providing for quota for SCs and STs in government job promotions was on Monday passed by Rajya Sabha with an overwhelming vote of 206 in the 245-member House. A total of 10 votes were polled against the proposed legislation, which was strongly opposed by UPA ally Samajwadi Party but pushed by another supporter BSP creating a difficult situation for the government. [caption id=“attachment_560807” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  PTI[/caption] Those who voted against the contentious Constitution (117th Amendment) Bill, 2012, were nine members of Samajwadi Party and an independent Md Adeeb. Being a Constitution amendment bill, there was a requirement of the two-third majority, which was easily surpassed as 206 voted in favour in the House, where 216 members were present. All four members of Shiv Sena, which was also opposed to the Bill, were not present in the House. The bill, which provides for reservation proportionate to population of SCs and STs, was approved by the Union Cabinet on 5 September against the backdrop of Supreme Court quashing such a decision of the Uttar Pradesh government earlier this year. Replying to the two-day debate, Minister of State for Personnel V Narayanasamy said the bill seeks to correct the “inadequacy” in representation of SCs/STs in higher positions in government jobs. Reacting to the passage of bill providing reservation in promotions in the Rajya Sabha, Dubey said their agitation will go on. “The bill may have been passed in Rajya Sabha, but we will continue our agitation,” Dubey said. PTI