The State Government on Friday informed the House that it would study the latest social-economic survey data compiled in the caste-based census conducted not much before to derive any conclusion about reservation in the State. Replying to a private member Bill brought by a BSP legislator, it added that the Supreme Court’s order in that direction would also be studied.
As the demand gained momentum, CM Raghubar Das assured about the review. “Every State has specific situation...keeping the sentiments of the members, the Government would study the Supreme Court’s order and look into socio-economic situation in the State before reaching to any conclusion,” said the CM.
BSP’s Kushwaha Shivpujan Mehta demanded to raise ceiling for reservation in the State from existing 50 percent and make it rationally as per the population of the deprived sections, particularly of SC, ST and OBC.“Now, there is no bar on raising the upper limit since the Supreme Court in its order in 2011 itself left it to the States to study their demographic situation and decide. There is no obligation to keep it at 50 per cent and the Government in the light of growing population of the marginalised sections should raise it,” said Mehta.
He also got backing of BJP’s Radha Krishna Kishore who cited an economic survey report of the Government and urged that the data can be used to arrive on fresh conclusions about demography.
later, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Saryu Roy also supported the demand. “Data of the socio-economic and caste census has not been released yet and we have no other information about caste equation in the State to reach to any conclusion. We would look into the directions given by the Supreme Court and take appropriate decision,” said Roy.
However, a similar demand for the reserving seats for economically poor candidates belonging to upper caste was also raised by BJP’s Dhanbad MlA Raj Sinha on which Saryu Roy replied positively. “This is a welcome suggestion but, at present, we have ceiling to 50 per cent. Also, till now no provision of reservation has been made based on economic status. If any such attempt is made at national level, then we would consider it here also,” said the Minister.