The Supreme Court on Monday has upheld the 103rd Constitution Amendment providing for 10% quota for the economically weaker sections (EWS) from unreserved categories, availing the reservation for admission to central institutions and Central government jobs.
A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice UU Lalit and comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari, S Ravindra Bhat, Bela M Trivedi and JB Pardiwala held that the provisions of the Amendment is not in violation of the Constitution.
On September 27, the court had reserved its verdict after hearing the case for over seven days.
Four judgements by CJI UU Lalit, Justices Maheshwari, Bela Trivedi and JB Pardiwala have been in the case and one dissenting judgement by Justice Bhat.
Justice Maheshwari said that 103rd Constitutional amendment is valid and does not violate the basic structure of the Constitution.
In a statement, Justice Trivedi said that the stage has come out with amendment for advancement of EWS categories.
Justice Bhatt, however, disagreed with majority verdict, stating that excluding the poor from SCs/STs/ OBCs from availing the reservation benefit under EWS category is discriminatory.
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Rabia Shireen is a Staff Reporter at The Cognate.
