Chhattisgarh Govt to convene special Assembly session on ST quota

Chattisgarh government will convene a special session of the state Assembly next month to hold talks on the situations emerged following the High Court order that resulted in the reduction of scheduled tribes (ST) quota.

On the issue of tribal reservation, Chattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel has sent a proposal to assembly speaker to hold a two-day special session in December. “Special Assembly Session- Sent a proposal to Assembly speaker Dr. Charandass Mahant Jee for convening a special session of Assembly on the issue of tribal reservation. The request has been made to convene the special session of the Assembly on December one and two.” CM tweeted.

There has been a constant resentment in the tribal communities over the reservation issue and amidst the resentment; Chattisgarh government’s decision to convene special session is significant. High Court’s decision resulted in reduction of scheduled tribes (ST) quota from 32 percent to 20 percent in jobs and admissions to educational institutions of the State and most likely discussions are bound to take place in this matter.

During the inauguration of the three-day Chhattisgarh Tribal Festival, Baghel made it very clear that his government would soon move the Supreme Court to increase reservation for tribals in the state according to their population.

In 2011-12, when tribals agitated, the state government gave 32 per cent reservation to them, 12 per cent to SCs and 14 per cent to OBCs, leading to a total of 58 per cent reservation, holding that any quota above 50 per cent is unconstitutional.  Later, two committees had been set up but they never presented their reports before the court and this led to the high court annulling the decision on reservation. Baghel said.