New Delhi:  In a landmark move ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Union Cabinet has approved a 10 percent reservation in jobs and higher education for “economically backward” sections in the general category.

A Constitutional Amendment Bill was tabled in Parliament today, the last day of the Winter Session. The proposed reservation will be over and above the existing 50 percent reservation enjoyed by the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes, taking the total reservation to 60 percent.

The reservation will be over and above the existing 50 percent reservation and the Government will amend Articles 15 and 16 — which are on discrimination and equal opportunity — of the Constitution to implement it.

The Bill once passed will amend the Constitution accordingly to give reservation to the poor among the general castes and classes. The Bill will provide a shelter for upper castes under the rubric of fundamental rights.

The Court’s rule of the maximum 50 percent quota cannot fetter Parliament’s right to amend the Constitution. The Constitutional Amendment Bill would be required as the Constitution does not provide for reservation on the ground of economic conditions. Sources in the Government as saying the proposed amendment would help clear the 50 percent cap on quotas set by the Supreme Court in the famous Indra Sawhney judgement.

Those in the general category whose family income is below Rs.8 lakh per annum and own less than 5 acres of land would be eligible. Further, the person’s residential house should be below 1,000 sq. ft., and the residential plot should be below 100 yards in a notified Municipality area and below 200 yards in a non-notified Municipality area.

Among the major castes to benefit from the proposed law are Brahmins, Rajputs (Thakurs), Jats, Marathas, Bhumihars, several trading castes, Kapus and Kammas among other upper castes. It would also benefit the poor in other religions.

The move is being seen as a step to consolidate upper caste votes just ahead of the general elections. Most Opposition parties called it an election gimmick but are not likely to oppose it.

Congress Spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi tweeted that the Govt. announced the decision only three months before the model code of conduct will be put in place for the general elections.