CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill to provide reservation to Jats and other communities, though there was opposition to the bill from leaders of some communities, Jats as well as the BJP.
The Haryana Backward Classes (Reservation in Services and Admission in Educational Institutions) Bill, 2016 was moved by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to give statutory status to Backward Classes Block ‘A’, Backward Classes Block ‘B’ and Backward Classes Block ‘C’.
The Bill provides for an increase in percentage of reservation in Schedule I, II and III for Class I and II posts for BC ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ categories from 10 per cent, five per cent and five per cent to 11 per cent, six per cent and six per cent respectively. It was also decided to increase the existing reservation of five per cent for Economically Backward Persons in General Caste Category in Class I and II posts from five per cent to seven per cent.
The Bill states that notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the State Government may provide horizontal reservation for such category or categories of persons within Backward Classes, as it may deem necessary from time to time.
Khattar said provisions of reservation would be implemented after the Governor’s assent. He said a request would also be made to the Centre to include the Act in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution.