The Supreme Court on Monday granted interim relief to the Chhattisgarh government on its plea challenging a high court order striking down its policy of giving up to 58 percent reservation in admissions, promotions and appointments to SCs, STs and OBCs.
The Supreme Court also issued notice on the state government’s plea and will now hear the matter in July.
An apex court Bench comprising Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath and Sanjay Karol heard the petition for interim relief filed by Chhattisgarh.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel welcomed the major Supreme Court decision. “The struggle against the alleged conspiracy of the BJP against the youth of Chhattisgarh will continue," he said.
"Justice will be served only when the Governor grants his assent to the new 76 percent reservation bills," he added.
Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Sumeer Sodhi pleaded on behalf of the Chhattisgarh government.
The Chhattisgarh government in 2012 granted reservations to the extent of 32 percent to Scheduled Tribes, 12 percent to Scheduled Castes and 14 percent to Other Backward Classes in admissions and recruitments to public services.
After the hiked quotas, the total reservations in the state went up to 58 percent.
Following several petitions, the Act was struck down by the Chhattisgarh High Court on September 19, 2022 on the ground that the policy was inconsistent with the 50 percent ceiling limit set by the Supreme Court.