Bill to extend SC and ST political quotas ratified

Mumbai: The reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha seats in the state will continue for 10 more years. The State Legislature on Wednesday unanimously approved the Constitution (126th) Amendment Bill, which proposes to extend quota to SC/STs in Lok Sabha and state assemblies by another 10 years.

A special session of the legislature was held to ratify the Constitutional Amendment bill, passed by Parliament on December 11. In the Vidhan Sabha, the resolution to ratify the bill was moved in the legislature by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and was supported by Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis.

The CM said, “People from SC and ST still suffer hardship and their rights should be protected. The bill is necessary to provide adequate representation to these communities. It will provide an equal opportunity to all sections of the society and also strengthen the social base.”

Mr Fadnavis said, “There is a need to retain the inclusive character as envisioned by the founding fathers of the country.”

In the Vidhan Parishad, chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar announced that the bill was passed unanimously.

In Maharashtra, there are five SC and four ST Lok Sabha seats. Maharashtra also has 29 SC and 25 ST Assembly seats in the legislature.