Supreme court uphold 10% EWS reservation

way2barak, Nov.7: The Supreme Court on Monday backed a 10 per cent quota in jobs and education for the poor or EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) among forward castes. The 103rd Amendment of 2019 inserted Articles 15(6) and 16(6) in the Constitution to provide 10% EWS reservation to persons who aren’t covered under the SC, ST and OBC reservations. The rationale was that the amendment could empower state governments to provide reservation on the basis of economic backwardness – determined by criteria like land size owned, annual income etc.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit delivered the verdict in the matter. Three judges uphold the Act while two judges pass a dissenting judgement. CJI UU Lalit concurs with Justice Ravindra Bhat. The majority bench which upheld the amendment comprised of Justices Dinesh Maheshwari, Bela Trivedi and JB Pardiwala. Justice S Ravindra Bhat passed a dissenting judgement and disagreed with the majority verdict.

In court, one of the judges, Justice JB Pardiwala, said reservation should not continue for an indefinite time so that it becomes a vested interest. “The ones who have moved ahead should be removed from backward classes so that ones in need can be helped. The ways to determine backward classes need a re- look so that ways are relevant in today’s time,” said the judge.