Rajasthan passes bill to extend SC-ST quota in assembly

Rajasthan assembly on Saturday ratified a bill that extends reservation to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for ar 10 years.

Today was last day to ratify Constitution (126th) Amendment Bill by state assemblies and it will come into effect from January 26. During a debate on ratification of Bill, BJP accused state government of delaying process.

Deputy Leer of Opposition in assembly, Rajendra Rathore, said debate on ratification of Bill was "without any basis" as it h alrey been passed by Parliament and signed by President. Rathore alleged that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal h t followed Statute Book and session was called on a four days tice inste of a 21-day tice. 

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Rajya Sabha h sent an visory to assembly secretariat on December 20 last year, saying Bill's ratification should be done before January 10, he claimed. " government was in a deep slumber and woke up only on January 19, and hurriedly called session on a four-day tice," Rathore said.

Dhariwal said BJP legislators are arguing that session was called in a hurry, but have all BJP-ruled states ratified amendment Bill. He said BJP as a responsible opposition should have alerted government, if re was any delay.

"You have lost right to be called opposition. It was your duty to alert government but you didn't. That's why people see BJP as a useless opposition," minister said. Following debate Speaker C P Joshi put resolution to voice vote and it was passed in House.

provision giving reservation to SC and ST communities for past 70 years in Lok Sabha and state assemblies expires on January 25. Parliament recently passed a constitution amendment bill in this regard and it has to be ratified by at least 50 per cent of assemblies before it becomes a law.

Leer of Opposition in Rajasthan assembly Gulab Chand Kataria said it was unfortunate that re was debate on goverr's speech. To this, speaker said it would have been ideal if debate on goverr's speech was held today, but due to certain circumstances, it will take place when House reassembles on February 10. 

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