RAIPUR: CG CM Bhupesh Baghel on Monday accused the Governor of ‘misusing her constitutional power’ as she declared a waiting period until March for the reservation amendment bill to be approved. He asked whether she is waiting for Mahurat to sign the bill.
Interacting with the reports at the Swami Vivekananda Airport on Monday said-“Why wait till March, is she looking for some auspicious time” Students and youths are waiting for her assent to the Bills as the process of admissions and recruitment are to be done.” He also questioned the intentions of the BJP saying- it is a grave injustice to the youth of the state.
The fresh statement by the Guv on the reservation impasse has sparked a debate in political circles. The statement came on Monday at an event where a press reporter questioned her on the status of the reservation bill. “Wait till March”, and she walked out of the scene.
Food Minister Amarjeet Bhagat who also spoke in sync with the CM pressed that the delay was depriving a particular section of their rights. ” March would be too late as tribals have high hopes especially when the Gov is the Constitutional head, he said.”
An imbroglio over the reservation amendment bill is prevailing in Chhattisgarh after the HC set aside the 2012 state govt order enhancing the overall reservation to 58 percent. It also held that any reservation over and above 50 percent is unconstitutional. In an attempt to end the impasse the Chhattisgarh Assembly on December 2, 2022, passed the Chhattisgarh Public Service (Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes Reservation) Amendment Bill and the Chhattisgarh Educational Institutions (Reservation in admission) amendment bill related to quota in government jobs and admissions in educational institutions in proportion to the population of different categories in the state.
As per the bills, the Scheduled Tribe will get a quota of 32 percent, Other Backward Classes 27 percent, Scheduled Caste 13 percent, and the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) four percent, taking the overall reservation in the state to 76 percent.