As Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Bihar today, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has criticised the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in the state, saying it has nearly “given up” on implementing the proposed 65 percent reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs).
In a post on X, Ramesh said, “The PM is in Bihar today. On the basis of the caste survey conducted by the erstwhile INDIA bloc Government in Bihar, the Bihar Government had proposed 65 percent reservation for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBCs, and EBCs. This is under challenge in the Courts. The double-engine Govt in Bihar has all but given up.”
Ramesh, who is the Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications, suggested three ways to make the proposed 65 percent reservation in government jobs and educational institutions a reality.
“But there are three ways out that the INC has been demanding for long that will make the 65 percent reservations a reality,” he said.
He listed the following steps:
“Make the Bihar reservations law a part of the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. This was done by the Narasimha Rao government in 1994 for protecting 69 percent reservations in Tamil Nadu.”
“Amend the Constitution to overcome the 50 percent ceiling for reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBCs, and EBCs. This ceiling has only been imposed because of various Supreme Court judgements over the past six decades.”
“Article 15(5) enables reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBCs, and EBCs in PRIVATE educational institutions also. This has been unimplemented in the past 11 years after the Supreme Court upheld the Constitutional amendment that was introduced by Dr Mannohan Singh's government in 2006.”
He added, “Most definitely the INC will take up these three issues of fundamental importance to social justice and empowerment in the Monsoon session of Parliament that begins on July 21, 2025.”
Ramesh’s remarks come on the day PM Modi is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several development projects in Siwan, Bihar. The Assembly elections in the state are expected in October this year.
The Congress has been pushing for stronger implementation of the caste-based reservation framework, especially after the Centre decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census. The party is also calling for the enforcement of Article 15(5) to extend reservations to OBCs, Dalits, and Adivasis in private educational institutions.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
