Quota bill in Rajya Sabha live updates: AIADMK to walk out, Congress offers support

As many as 323 members voted in support of the bill, which seeks to amend Article 15 and 16 of the Constitution to enable reservation for the “economically weaker” sections in the general category.
A day after Lok Sabha passed a landmark bill to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education for the general category poor, the government will table the bill in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday as the Constitution (103rd Amendment) Bill. With most parties backing the proposed legislation, the government has described the bill as “historic” and in the country’s interest.
The opposition, including the Congress, dubbed the proposed law as a political gimmick that may not stand judicial scrutiny but came around to support it during voting, underlining the huge political import of the measure aimed at placating upper castes.
As many as 323 members voted in support of the bill, which seeks to amend Article 15 and 16 of the Constitution to enable reservation for the “economically weaker” sections in the general category, which had so far been kept out of the quota ambit. Three members voted against the bill.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi were present in the Lower House when the bill was passed.
Replying to an over four and half hour debate, Social Justice Minister Thaavarchand Gehlot sought to allay doubts raised by several opposition members about the legislation’s fate if challenged in the Supreme Court, saying he can say with confidence that the apex court will accept it.
Here are the live updates:
9 January 2019, 11:21 AM
Anand Sharma, Congress in Rajya Sabha: “The way the House proceedings were extended without the consent of the opposition parties was not right. The situation now is such that there is no dialogue between the opposition and the government. The government is foremost responsible if the House doesn’t function.
9 January 2019, 11:20 AM
Uproar in Rajya Sabha over government extending Parliament session by a day. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel told Rajya Sabha that the government wants to extend the functioning of the House by a day as there are important bills to be passed. However, the Opposition said that the government has extended the session of the House illegally.
9 January 2019, 10:26 AM
Manohar Singh, an Afghan refugee said, “In our own country, we are not counted as Indians. This is our tragedy. We’ve been trying for citizenship since 20-25 yrs. I request all parties to support in passing the bill.”
9 January 2019, 10:25 AM
AIADMK to stage a walkout in Rajya Sabha today. There are 13 members of the AIADMK in the house. The bill will be passed by the upper house even if AIADMK decide to walk out. The bill needs to be passed by 2/3rd majority. The SP, BSP and Congress will support the passage of the bill.
9 January 2019, 08:24 AM
The opposition parties are likely to question the Narendra Modi government on Wednesday in the Rajya Sabha, where the ruling block lacks majority, over the timing of the general category reservation bill and have asked all their members to be present in full strength, as reported by news agency PTI quoting sources. Sources told PTI that they are likely to take a tougher stand in the Rajya Sabha on the basis of their sheer numbers.
9 January 2019, 08:15 AM
With 73 MPs, the BJP has the highest number of seats in the house, which currently has a strength of 244. This is followed by the Congress which has 50 members. The sources also told members of opposition parties are upset over the extension of the Rajya Sabha proceedings by a day and will protest in the house. The sources said while the Congress is supporting the bill, other opposition parties may create hurdle in its passage. BJP leaders, however, said that if opposition parties do not extend support to the bill, they will have to face voters’ wrath in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
9 January 2019, 08:14 AM
Making an intervention during the debate, Union Minister Arun Jaitley informed the House that this constitutional amendment bill will not go to state assemblies for ratification, meaning that it will come into force after the Upper House passes it and the President gives his assent. Certain constitutional amendment bills require ratification from 50 per cent of state assemblies to come into force.
9 January 2019, 08:00 AM
Lok Sabha passed the landmark bill to provide 10 per cent reservation in education and government jobs for the economically weaker sections in the general category. As many as 323 members voted in support of the bill, and only three voting against it, which seeks to amend Article 15 and 16 of the Constitution to enable reservation for the “economically weaker” sections in the general category, which had so far been kept out of the quota ambit. Three members voted against the bill.