Bihar Governor Approves Bill Raising Quota for Backward Classes to 65 Percent

Bijar: Bihar governor Rajendra Arlekar has approved the reservation amendment bill 2023, passed recently by the Bihar Legislative Assembly and Council during the winter session.

This paves the way for the 65 per cent reservation to SC, ST, EBC and OBC. Combined with the existing 10 per cent for EWS, the reservation quota will rise to 75 per cent.

Currently, in Bihar, there is a provision for 50 per cent reservation for SC, ST, EBC and OBC.

Based on the findings of the caste-based survey and the socio-economic data reports the state government had recommended a 20 per cent hike in the reservation for SCs, 2 per cent for the STs, OBC 18 per cent and EBC 25 per cent t.

After the bill was passed unanimously on November 9, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar assured the house that his government would implement the provisions of the Bill at the earliest.

Bihar Chief Minister during his speech in the house on November 10 had also encouraged the BJP members to propose a similar nationwide caste-based census to the central government. He had also expressed his willingness to raise the limits even further if such surveys were conducted in the country.

The findings of the caste survey revealed the EBC and OBC together constitute a substantial 63 per cent of Bihar’s total population of 13.07 Crores. Bihar CM while presenting the caste-based survey report in the house had said that the bill would be brought in to affect the quota hike for backward classes in accordance with their share in the state’s population.

After the governor approved the Bihar reservation amendment bill 2023, former Bihar Chief Minister and HAM Chief Jitan Ram Manjhi released a statement demanding the formation of a fresh cabinet in accordance with the share of the caste population.

In a sarcastic tone, Jitan Ram Manjhi on X (formerly Twitter) Jitan Ram Manjhi congratulated Nitish Kumar and said “The bill to increase reservation in Bihar has got the Governor’s approval. It is expected that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will dismiss the present cabinet and form a fresh council of ministers in accordance with the share of the caste population. Whoever gets the bigger number should get its share”.