Bihar government on November 21 officially notified the bill that seeks to raise caste-based quota in government jobs and educational institutions’ admission from 50% to 65%. With the existing 10% quota for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), the effective reservation in the state now stands at 75%, the highest among large states.
There are only a few states like Tamil Nadu where the quantum of caste-based reservation exceeds 50%. Bihar now becomes second only to Tamil Nadu to provide the highest percentage of reservation to backward classes. While Tamil Nadu offers 50%, Bihar will now provide 43% reservations for them, followed by Sikkim and Kerala with 40% each.
Gazette notifications were issued on November 21, a couple of days after Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar gave his assent to two bills – the Bihar Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services Amendment Bill and the Bihar Reservation (Admission In Educational Institutions) Amendment Bill, 2023. The governor gave his assent to these bills on November 18.
“On analysis of data collected during caste-based survey 2022-23, it is apparent that large section of backward classes, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe need to be promoted for them to catch up to satisfy cherished aim in the Constitution of equality in opportunity and status,” the government noted in its gazette notification.
It further noted: “members of SC/ST and other backward classes have remained deprived and marginalised for centuries. Though affirmative action has led to improvement in their life to certain extent, the ultimate goal of equality has not yet been achieved. It further strengthens the perception that in addition to measures already in place, the State is required to take further measures to accelerate ultimate object of proportional equality.”
According to the gazette notification, the revised reservation percentages include 20% for scheduled castes, 2% for scheduled tribes, 18% for backward classes, 25% for extremely backward classes, and the EWS will continue to enjoy a 10% quota in the state.
The amendments represent an increase in the quota for scheduled castes from 16% to 20%, scheduled tribes from 1% to 2%, extremely backward classes from 18% to 25%, and backward classes from 15% to 18%.
In a statement the chief minister’s office said: “Provisions of the hiked quotas in state government jobs and educational institutions should be implemented in letter and spirit for the benefit of those who need it.”
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that “based on the findings of the caste-based survey report, Rs 2 lakh will be provided as a one-time financial assistance to the 94 lakh families who earn less than Rs 6,000 per month in the state.” Of these families, those who are homeless will be provided a financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each for purchasing land for the construction of their houses, it added.
