The Centre on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that its decision to grant 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education to economically weaker section is intended to uplift around 200 million people who are below the poverty line even after over 70 years of independence.
Justifying the Constitution (103 amendment) Act 2019, which grants 10 per cent reservation to EWS, the Centre told a bench headed by Justice SA Bobde that nobody can say such people should not be given a “helping hand” to uplift them.
Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, told this to the bench which reserved its order on the limited issue of whether to refer a batch of petitions challenging the Constitution (103 amendment) Act, 2019 to a Constitution bench for adjudication.
During the arguments, the bench, also comprising justices R Subhash Reddy and BR Gavai, observed that “poor people need the help of state, not the rich ones”.
The bench made it clear that it would deal with the issue of interim relief of stay after deciding whether the matter was required to be referred to a Constitution bench.
Venugopal said that arguments advanced by the petitioners that reservation cannot exceed 50 per cent is “fallacious” as up to 68 per cent quota was given in Tamil Nadu and the state’s decision was upheld by the high court.
He said that in Tamil Nadu reservation matter, the apex court has not stayed the operation of the high court’s order.
“After over 70 years, poverty is endemic and around 200 million people are below the poverty line,” he told the bench.
"Is there a single person who can stand up and say that these economically and educationally backward people should not be given a helping hand," Venugopal asked, adding, "Therefore, the Parliament has stepped in to uplift them".