Bill, 2018 seeks constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes
Our Correspondent / New Delhi
Parliament has passed the Constitution (One Hundred Twenty-third Amendment) Bill, 2018 seeking constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes with the Rajya Sabha passing it today.
The Rajya Sabha adopted the amendment passed by the Lok Sabha. The bill was passed in the Upper House with an absolute majority and not less than 2/3rd of the majority of the member present in the House.
All 156 members presented in the house voted in favour of the bill.
Earlier, moving the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot said it is aimed at providing justice to the socially and educationally backward sections of the society.
Describing the bill as a historic move by Narendra Modi government, Mr Gehlot said there was a long pending demand seeking constitutional status for the Commission.
Bhupender Yadav of BJP said, the legislation will go a long way in addressing the concerns of the backward classes and bring social equality in the society.
He said, BJP has been at the forefront to ensure justice to the socially and economically weaker sections. He recalled that it was his party that implemented the recommendations of the Mandal Commission.
Earlier, initiating the discussion, B K Hariprasad of the Congress, expressed happiness that the government has included a woman member from the backward classes in the proposed Commission.
He demanded that similarly, a member from religious minority community be made a member of the Commission. He also demanded that the census related to castes and communities be made public.
Supporting the bill, Prof. Manoj Kumar Jha of RJD sought proper representation to backward classes of the deprived sections to join the national mainstream. Vijila Sathyananth of AIADMK demanded a separate ministry for the OBCs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his happiness over the passing of the Bill in Parliament today.
In a tweet, Mr Modi said, this is a historic moment for the country. He said, this will contribute to the empowerment of the OBC communities across the country.
BJP President Amit Shah has also termed it as historic.
Talking to reporters outside Parliament, Mr Shah said, the passing of bill proves the Modi Government’s commitment to bring the backward class in the line of development.