In a significant move, the Bihar Assembly has passed a bill to increase reservations in government jobs and educational institutions from the existing 60% (including the Centre’s mandated 10% for economically weaker sections) to 75%. The bill allocates an 18% quota for other backward classes (OBCs), 25% for extremely backward classes (EBCs), 20% for scheduled castes (SCs), and 2% for scheduled tribes (STs).
The decision follows the recent approval of the proposal by the Bihar cabinet in a special meeting, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar emphasizing the importance of aligning the quota hike with the share of backward classes in the state’s population, as indicated by the caste survey findings.
According to the initial caste survey results released on October 2, 2023, backward classes, comprising OBCs and EBCs, constitute 64% of Bihar’s population. The socio-economic data from the survey report, presented in the legislature, indicates that 34% of Bihar’s population falls under the “poor” category, with a monthly income below ₹6,000.
Speaking after the debate on the caste survey report, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed gratitude for the unanimous support from all parties in reaching the decision to increase the reservation quota. He highlighted that the hike would lead to 25% free seats, allowing OBCs and EBCs a more proportionate share based on their population.
The Opposition BJP in the state also backed the decision to raise the reservation limits, advocating for an increase in the SC reservation from 16% to 20% and a raise in ST reservation from 1% to 2%.
State BJP president Samrat Chowdhary stated, “BJP gave its full support to the increase in reservation limits in Bihar. The 16% reservation to SCs should be increased to 20%. We requested that the 1% reservation for the STs should be increased to 2%. BJP has always extended support to any party when it is for reservation.”
Sources By Agencies