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Reservation policy in Bihar

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Reservation policy in Bihar is a system of affirmative action that provides historically disadvantaged groups representation in education and employment. Reservations in the state rose from 60 percent in 2021 to 75 percent in 2023.[1] In June 2024, Patna High Court struck down the new reservation policy.[2]

History

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Bihar has long struggled for equal educational opportunities and government jobs. Reservation was especially believed by the oppressed classes as a successful mechanism for affirmative action against discrimination.[citation needed]

In 1978, Karpoori Thakur introduced 26% reservation model in Bihar, for the backward classes in the Government jobs.[3] In this layered reservation regime, Other Backward Class got 12%, Most Backward Class got 8%, women got 3%, and economically backward classes (EBWs) from among the upper castes got 3% reservation in state government jobs.[4][5] Later, Bihar has a sub-quota within OBC quota of 18% for Extremely Backward Castes (EBCs) and 3% for Backward Caste women in government jobs and educational institutes.[6][7] EWS reservation was implemented in 2019.[8]

The reservation in the State of Bihar was increased on 9th November 2023. With the existing 10% quota for Economically Weaker Section (EWS), the effective quota will be 75%. The main beneficiaries are the EBCs and OBCs, whose quota is proposed to be raised from 12% to 25% and 8% to 18% respectively. According to 2022 Bihar caste-based survey, 36.01% of the population are EBCs, and 27.13% are OBCs.For SCs, the proposed new quota is 20%, up from the existing 14%. The SC population is estimated at 19.65%. The quota for STs, however, is proposed to be slashed from 10% to 2%. With most of the tribal areas going to Jharkhand after the bifurcation of Bihar in 2000, the tribal population in Bihar is less than 2%. Bihar Government issued gazette notifications for raising the quota to 75% after Governor Rajendra Arlekar gave his assent to two bills.[9] The two bills were notified as - The Bihar Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (For Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes) (Amendment) Act 2023 [10] and The Bihar (In Admission in Educational Institutions) Reservation (Amendment) Act 2023. [11]

Present reservation scheme details

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Below are the details of reservation followed in Bihar.[12] Reservation will increase up to 75% in Bihar, financial help will also be provided to 94 lakh poor people.[13]

Reservation in Bihar

  Backward Class (BC) (18%)
  Extremely Backward Communities (EBC) (25%)
  Scheduled Castes (SC) (20%)
  Scheduled Tribes (ST) (2%)
  Economically Weaker Section (EWS) (10%)
  General (without EWS) (25%)
Main Category as per Government of Bihar Reservation Percentage for each Main Category as per Government of Bihar Category as per Government of India
Backward Class (BC) 18% Backward Class
Extremely Backward Class (EBC) 25% Backward Class
Scheduled Castes 20% Scheduled Castes (others)
Scheduled Tribes 2% Scheduled Tribes
Economically Weaker Section (EWS) 10% EWS
Total Reservation Percentage 75%

Reservation in municipal bodies

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In 2022, Government of Bihar issued gazette notification for reserving seats for Other Backward Castes (‘OBC’) and Extremely Backward Classes (‘EBC’) for election to all municipal bodies in Bihar.[14]

Women reservation in panchayat and government jobs

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In 2006, women were given 50% reservation in local bodies and panchayats in Bihar.[15] Also in 2006, Women are given 50 per cent reservation in primary teacher recruitment.[16] Later in 2016, 35 per cent reservation was given to women in all government jobs in Bihar.[17][18]

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In October 2022, Patna High Court declared the reservation for Other Backward Castes (‘OBC’) and Extremely Backward Classes (‘EBC’) for election to all municipal bodies in Bihar as ‘illegal’. The verdict was made on the basis of Supreme Court judgement in Krishna Murthy (Dr.) & Ors. Vs. Union of India and Anr. case that mandated that the elections to state municipalities should follow the triple test condition.[19][20][21] On 27 November 2023, PIL was filed before Patna High Court against Bihar quota hike laws.[22] On 20 June 2024, Patna High Court struck down 65 per cent reservation cap in government jobs and educational institutions.[2][23]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Bihar notifies increase in caste-based quota to 65%".
  2. ^ a b "Patna high court strikes down Bihar govt's 65% reservation in jobs, education". The Times of India. 20 June 2024.
  3. ^ "जानिए, सवर्णों के दस फीसदी आरक्षण की चर्चा के बीच कैसे आ गया 'मुंगेरीलाल'". 8 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Two-time Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur to be conferred Bharat Ratna posthumously". 23 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Socialist icon Karpoori Thakur awarded Bharat Ratna, a day before centenary". The Hindu. 23 January 2024.
  6. ^ "203 castes in Bihar to choose from as 2nd leg of survey begins April 15".
  7. ^ Kumar, Madan (January 25, 2018). "EBC: Nitish bats for EBC quota in central jobs, varsities". The Times of India. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
  8. ^ Tewary, Amarnath (2019-01-21). "10% reservation for EWS will be implemented in Bihar too, says Nitish Kumar". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  9. ^ Tewary, Amarnath (17 November 2023). "Bihar Governor approves Bill raising reservation from 50% to 65%". The Hindu.
  10. ^ https://prsindia.org/files/bills_acts/acts_states/bihar/2023/Act19of2023Bihar.pdf
  11. ^ https://prsindia.org/files/bills_acts/acts_states/bihar/2023/Act18of2023Bihar.pdf
  12. ^ "PIL challenges hike in Bihar quotas, JD(U) suspects 'BJP hand'". Times of India. 2023-08-14. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  13. ^ "Reservation will increase up to 75% in Bihar, CM Nitish Kumar announced". Prabhat Khabar. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  14. ^ "HC seeks Bihar govt's reply on EBC quota in municipal polls". The Times of India. 29 September 2022.
  15. ^ Tewary, Amarnath (20 September 2023). "Bihar shows the way to Centre for women's reservation Bill, claims JD(U)". The Hindu.
  16. ^ "Nitish Kumar recounts steps taken by him for empowerment of women in Bihar, seeks caste census". The Times of India. 19 September 2023.
  17. ^ "Why Nitish Kumar supports women's reservation bill but argues for more". 23 September 2023.
  18. ^ "Father's domicile and caste will decide woman's job quota eligibility: Bihar govt". 8 September 2022.
  19. ^ "Bihar: Patna high court declares extremely backward castes reservation in urban local bodies polls 'illegal'". The Times of India. 4 October 2022.
  20. ^ Lakshman, Abhinay (28 December 2022). "Judiciary has established time and again that caste surveys conducted by States are not enough to provide reservation in local body elections". The Hindu.
  21. ^ "Bihar municipal polls: Uncertainty looms after SC 'triple test' order on quota".
  22. ^ "Public interest litigation filed before Patna High Court against Bihar quota hike laws".
  23. ^ "Faizan Mustafa writes on Patna High Court reservation ruling: An overemphasis on merit". 21 June 2024.
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