Rajasthan Backward Classes Amendment Bill, 2019

The Rajasthan Assembly has passed the Rajasthan Backward Classes Amendment Bill, 2019. The bill aims to address the demands of the Gujjars who are protesting for reservations.

The features of the Rajasthan Backward Classes Amendment Bill, 2019 are:

• It provides 5% quota in jobs and educational institutions to Gurjars, Banjaras, Gadia Lohars, Raikas and Gadaria communities.
• The communities, namely Gurjars, Banjaras, Gadia Lohars, Raikas and Gadaria are currently provided one per cent reservation under More Backward Classes (MBC).
• The Bill seeks to grant them an additional four per cent quota.
• The bill increases the ceiling of creamy layer from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh.
• With the 5% quota for Gurjars, Banjaras, Gadia Lohars, Raikas and Gadaria communities the backward classes’ reservation in the state has increased from present 21 per cent to 26 per cent.
• The reservations in Rajasthan now crosses the 50 per cent cap on reservations set by the Supreme Court.
• To avoid the possible legal tussle the Rajasthan Assembly passed a resolution and urged the Centre to incorporate it in the 9th schedule to ensure the reservation for these communities.
• The statement on the objective and reasons for the bill notes that Parliament has amended the Constitution to exceed the limit of 50 per cent laid down by the Indra Sawhney case having regard to the compelling circumstances in which Economically Weaker Sections of the society are languishing.