Promotion quota: Will bring 'legally sustainable' amendment, says PM

The amendment to the bill on providing quota to SC-STs in promotions is unlikely to be presented during this session of Parliament, as an all-party meeting chaired by PM Manmohan Singh on Tuesday failed to arrive at a consensus. HT reports.

The amendment to the bill on providing quota to SC-STs in promotions is unlikely to be presented during this session of Parliament, as an all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday failed to arrive at a consensus.

Although most of the parties favoured legal backing for quota in promotions, the UPA’s key ally Samajwadi Party asked the government to stick to the entry-level job quotas.

Singh, however, assured the parties that his government would bring in a “legally sustainable” amendment to ensure quota in promotion, but didn’t give any time-frame for bringing the amendment in Parliament.

The meeting was convened in the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Uttar Pradesh’s decision to provide quota for SCs, STs and OBCs in government jobs.

Another outside supporter of the UPA, Mayawati’s BSP, demanded that it should be brought during the current parliamentary session that will run till September 7.

The quota for the other backward castes also remained unresolved as the government told the meeting that it would be dealt separately.

Sources said SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav’s objections were in the expected lines as his party depends on OBC votes along with support from minorities. The BJP leadership asked the government to ensure that it was not struck down by the Supreme Court.

Trinamool Congress, the second biggest party in the UPA reportedly spoke about ‘judicial activism’ before asking the centre to quickly bring the amendment.