The government of Bihar, under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, has passed a resolution to increase the current quota for SCs, STs, OBCs, Extremely Backward Classes, and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) from 50% to a total of 75%. A bill regarding this will be introduced in the assembly during the winter session. On Tuesday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar delivered a statement on this matter. This strategic move by Kumar, just months before the 2024 elections, is also seen through the lens of politics. The new proposal is expected to change the employment figures in Bihar. Discover how...
The approved proposal by the Bihar Government seeks to increase the reservation for OBCs and EWS from 30% to a combined 43%, for SCs from 16% to 20%, and for STs from 1% to 2%, with the EWS quota remaining at the current 10%. The caste survey report revealed that the state's total population stands at 13.07 crores. The share of OBC (27.13%) and Extremely Backward Class (36%) together is 63%, while SC and ST collectively make up slightly more than 21% of the population. The General category constitutes 15% of the populace. According to a report presented by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary in the assembly, Bihar has approximately 2.97 crore families, with over 94 lakh (34.13%) earning a monthly income of ₹6,000 or less.
'Nitish's Focused Attention on the Backward Classes'
Under the new decision of the Bihar Government, 65% reservation will benefit 84% of the population. Essentially, the population of the Backward and Extremely Backward classes in the state is 63%. In addition, the SC-ST population is more than 21%. These classes together form 84% of the state's population. The Nitish government has particularly focused on these backward classes. This is why a decision has been made to give the Backward-Extremely Backward class of 63% a 43% reservation, and the 21% SC-ST class a 2% reservation. In addition, the Economically Weaker General category will receive 10% reservation. However, with the new approval, the reservation will increase by another 18%. In Bihar, excluding EWS, a 47% reservation was already in effect, which with EWS added, totaled 57%. The new reservation chart is going to elevate the benefit percentage for other categories as well.
How will employment figures change...
In Bihar, the General category holds the highest number of government jobs at 641,281, despite being ranked fourth in terms of the population. The Extremely Backward Class ranks highest at 36.0148%, followed by the Backward Class at 27.12%, then the Scheduled Castes at 19.6518%, General at 15.5%, and Scheduled Tribes at 1.68%. The government has modified the reservation system after receiving new figures, increasing the reservation benefits from the Backward Classes to the SC-ST. Moreover, the 10% reservation for economically weaker sections in the General category will also provide benefits, but the new approval will increase the reservation by an additional 18%. Until now, 47% reservation was in force in Bihar, reaching 57% with the inclusion of EWS. The new reservation chart will further enhance the benefit percentages for other categories.
