New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government Monday announced 10 per cent reservation in jobs for economically weaker sections among the general category citizens. The government introduces the bill in Parliament today, the last day of the ongoing Winter session.

The bill will require a two-thirds support in both houses of Parliament as well that of one half of the state legislatures. Considering the bill is passed in both Houses of the Parliament, the bill will be sent to the state legislatures where they should be passed by at least one-half of the state legislatures by a two-thirds majority.

Here are the live updates:

5:49pm: “If you are supporting this, don’t be grudging. Be large-hearted,” Jaitley tells the opposition.

5:45pm: Many have pointed out that if this reservation of 10% is introduced it would impact the cap of 50% by the SC. Many Congress leaders have also tweeted this. I can say clearly that this cap was in relation to caste based reservation whether in educational institutions or public employment

5:42pm: First reservation was for SC/ST and no questions were raised against it, points out finance minister Arun Jaitley in Lok Sabha.

5:37pm: “Just as equals can’t be treated unequally, unequals can’t be treated equally,” says Jaitley.

5:34pm: Responding to Thomas’ issue over aided and unaided institutions, Arun Jaitley says the phraseology for caste-based reservations is the same as the one for economically-backward sections.

5:33pm: Union finance minister Arun Jaitley begins speaking.

5:31pm: Thomas says the Congress supports the concept of the quota bill, but the way it is being brought raises questions on the government’s sincerity. “My request is to send this to JPC (joint parliamentary committee) first,” he says as he concludes his argument.

5:30pm: Anyone who is getting Rs 63,000 per month (Rs 8 lakh per annum), they are eligible. How can that be? People who are affluent have been brought under the net of this policy.

5:26pm: If you are not providing reservation to the existing 50% in unaided institutions currently, how can you provide it in this bill, questions Thomas.

5:25pm: Thomas raises the aided versus unaided institutions question. Says the move has been in haste.

5:23pm: Congress MP K.V. Thomas begins speaking. Says the government can pass amendment bill as it has the majority in the Lok Sabha, but  there won’t be a fruitful discussion if the legislation is passed in a hurry.

5:22pm: The benefits of this move will reach a wide section of people, Gehlot says as he ends his speech.

5:20pm: Gehlot adds that even the top court will not accept pleas of those who will approach it to contest the new reservation policy.

5:18pm: Brahmin, Thakur, Baniya, Patel, Jaat, Muslims, Christians and all others from other religions who are out of the current reservation policy will benefit from this, says Gehlot.

5:14pm: State governments will determine who falls in the economically backward category, says Union minister Thawarchand Gehlot.

5:13pm: There will be no change in the existing reservation policy that is in place, says Gehlot.

5:10pm: Gehlot says PM Narendra Modi has talked about ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas‘ (development for everyone), and adds the government has delivered what it has promised.

5:05pm: Union minister for social justice and empowerment Thawarchand Gehlot begins elaborating on his motion to move the Constitution amendment Bill.

According to the Bill, “At present, the economically weaker sections of citizens have largely remained excluded from attending the higher educational institutions and public employment on account of their financial incapacity to compete with the persons who are economically more privileged.”

The Bill seeks to amend Article 15 of the Constitution, by adding a clause which allows states to make “special provision for the advancement of any economically weaker sections of citizens”.

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