Ahead of Lok Sabha election, MP too breaches 50% quota ceiling

Unleashing a potential game changer for Congress in MP ahead of Lok Sabha elections, CM Kamal Nath announced on Wednesday a 27% quota for OBCs (up by 13%) and implementation of the 10% reservation for economically backward sections in the general category. This takes the total quotas in the state to above 70%.

He also announced a mega recruitment drive to fill 60,000 government posts even as his government hiked DA for state employees to 9%.

“Today I have announced 27% reservation for OBCs and 10% for general class. This is a big issue. BJP leaders who always boast about their ‘interest’ for OBCs could not increase the quota for backward sections during the 15 years of their regime. But we have decided to increase the quota to 27%” the CM said at a farm loan waiver programme in Sagar on Wednesday.


BJP dubbed the announcement a “delayed decision” that is unlikely to benefit the youth before elections.

Nath also called upon the youth to take up small enterprises and avail of the government’s Yuva Swabhiman Yojana, under which they get a stipend of Rs 4,000 per month for 100 days of work.

The Congress government also hiked DA for state government employees from 7% to 9%. A circular issue by the finance department said it will be effective from July 1, 2018.

BJP said these decisions were clearly made with Lok Saba polls in mind. “There is nothing surprising. More than 10 states have already implemented the general quota. We have been demanding it in the assembly for the last two months and I personally urged the CM to implement it,” said leader of opposition in state assembly Gopal Bhargava.