Bihar Assembly Unanimously Passes 75% Reservation Bill

Image credit: ANI

New Delhi: The Bihar Assembly on Thursday successfully passed a bill augmenting caste-based reservations to 65%, paving the way for an overarching 75% reservation structure. This expanded quota will allocate 43% to Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Economically Backward Classes (EBC).

Presently, Bihar observes a 50% cap on reservations with an additional 10% allocation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). However, if the Nitish government's proposal is approved, it will surpass the existing 50% reservation limit, allowing for a total of 65% reservation. The distinct 10% reservation for EWS will remain intact, ultimately resulting in a comprehensive 75% reservation allocation in the state.

Nitish Recommended Increase In Reservation Following Caste-based Survey

Following a recent caste-based survey in the state, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar proposed an increase in reservations: elevating the OBC and EBS quota from 30 to 43 percent, the Scheduled Caste allocation from 16 to 20 percent, and Scheduled Tribe from 1 to 2 percent. Meanwhile, the reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) will remain unchanged at the current 10 percent. When combined, these figures tally up to 75 percent.

The caste-based census reveals OBC shares at 27.13 percent, the extremely backward class sub-group at 36 percent, and a collective 21 percent for SC and ST. The Assembly's presented report indicates over 2.97 crore families in the state, with over 94 lakh (34.13 percent) dependent on a monthly income of Rs 6,000 or less.

Bihar Assembly Unanimously Passes Reservation Amendment Bill 2023 

During the fourth day of the winter session of the Bihar Assembly, the Reservation Amendment Bill 2023 was introduced and unanimously passed. The BJP openly supported the bill, although it raised concerns about the absence of a reference to EWS reservation within the bill. The bill will transform into law after securing approval from the Legislative Council and the Governor. Nitish Kumar reiterated the demand for a caste census by the central government and an increase in reservations.