Government urges Opposition parties to get promotion quota bill passed in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: Against the backdrop of opposition by Samajwadi Party and disruption of proceedings by BJP over coalgate issue, Government today appealed to all political parties to get a bill providing for reservation to SCs and STs in promotions in government jobs passed in Rajya Sabha today.

Parliamentary Affair Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said he wanted BJP not to disrupt the proceedings today so that the bill can be taken up.

"We have already lost three weeks due to disruptions. I would request them to let Parliament function for last two days so that important issues could be taken up," he said.

Minister of State for personnel V Narayanasamy, who will pilot the Constitution Amendment Bill in the upper house, said the measure is the result of an assurance made by the Prime Minister at an all-party meeting held recently.

"I request Congress and its ally as well as the opposition parties to get the bill passed unanimously," he told reporters outside Parliament house.

The government yesterday cleared a bill providing for reservation to SCs and STs in promotions in government jobs with effect from 1995.

The legislative action, which comes within four months of Supreme Court striking down such a decision by Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh governments, meets the demand of most of the parties, barring the Samajwadi Party.

The Constitution Amendment Bill is being brought to end uncertainties with regard to methodology for deciding the promotion and bring clarity on the issue.