Assam government scraps economically weaker section reservation in jobs

Assam government has decided to do away with the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota on jobs but the reservation under EWS would continue for admissions in educational institutions.

An official notification of the Department of Personnel said : “Governor of Assam is pleased to keep the matter of reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in direct recruitment in posts and services under Government of Assam in abeyance until further order. Provided that this shall not be applicable in those cases in which the vacancies have already been assessed and have already been advertised.”

It said: “However, the reservation for the Economically Weaker Section category as provided ……will continue for admissions in Educational Institutions.”


Opposition Congress, Trinamool Congress, the All India United Democratic Front and other parties have strongly condemned the Assam’s BJP government decision not to implement the EWS quota in jobs.

Leader of the Opposition (Congress), Debabrata Saikia criticised the state government’s decision, terming it a cost-cutting measure because of a financial crisis brought upon by extravagant expenditure on several projects and schemes.

The Supreme Court on November 7 upheld the validity of the 103rd Constitution amendment providing 10 per cent reservation to economically weaker sections (EWS) in admissions and government jobs.