New Delhi: Government on Thursday introduced a
Constitutional amendment bill in the Rajya Sabha to extend by
another 10 years reservation of seats for SCs, STs and
nomination of Anglo-Indian communities in the Lok Sabha and
state assemblies.
The Constitution (109th Amendment) Bill 2009 moved by Law
Minister M Veerappa Moily seeks to extend reservation beyond
January 25, 2010 when the time period of 60 years under
Article 334 of the Constitution lapses.
"Although the SCs/STs have made considerable progress in
the last 60 years, the reasons which weighed with the
Constituent Assembly in making provisions with regard to
reservation of seats and nomination of members have not ceased
to exist," the statement of objects and reasons of the
amendment bill said.
It was, therefore, proposed to continue this reservation
and nomination for another 10 years, it said.
The SC/ST qouta in the legislature is given on the basis
of proportion to their population. Besides, President can
nominate two members belonging to Anglo-Indian communities to
the Lok Sabha.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, July 30, 2009, 15:22