CPI(M) wants pvt sector covered under new quota bill

The CPI(M) will seek an amendment to the latest quota bill to provide reservation for the economically weaker sections (EWS), Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in all private sector enterprises, including educational institutions.

At present, there is no quota for SCs, STs OBCs or EWS in private educational institutions or other organisations.

The Bill, which was passed by Lok Sabha on Tuesday night, provides for quota for EWS in educational institutions, including those in the private sector. The CPI(M) views this as an anomaly that goes against the Constitution.

When the Bill is moved in Rajya Sabha, CPI(M) leader T K Rangarajan will seek an amendment to Clause 2(b) of the Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill.

The clause in the Bill passed by Lok Sabha says that 10% quota should be provided to economically weaker sections in admissions to the "educational institutions, including private educational institutions, whether aided or unaided by the State, other than the minority educational institutions".

The CPI(M) wants it to be extended to "all private sector enterprises, organisations and institutions", including private educational institutions, whether aided or unaided by the State, other than the minority educational institutions.

Party's leader in Lok Sabha P Karunakaran had submitted a similar amendment in Lok Sabha but it was not admitted to be moved in the House citing that it was submitted late.

"Our MPs were told that it was 'too late' for amendments! BJP has reduced Lok Sabha to this. A Constitutional amendment bill was moved only in the afternoon, then 'too late' for amendments? BJP does not want these issues discussed at all as it will expose them thoroughly," CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said.

"As the Bill passed in Lok Sabha, talks of extending benefits to private educational institutions, why should SCs/STs/OBC/Minorities be not be able to avail of it? Also, this must be extended to private jobs too, why just private educational institutions?" he said.

Interestingly only last August, the government had said that providing quota for EWS would be in violation of Supreme Court judgement in 1992 on OBC quota.

In a letter to Congress MP Kodikkunnil Suresh who raised the issue in Lok Sabha in June, Social Justice and Development Minister Tawar Chand Gehlot had cited the Supreme Court verdict saying that EWS quota was "constitutionally invalid".

Opposition parties barring AIMIM and Muslim League have supported the Bill in Lok Sabha though they have called it an "election gimmick". They also questioned the intentions of the government saying if they were really serious about the move, they would have moved it much earlier after proper consultations.