Punjab Cabinet Decides on Constitutional Amendment For 10% Reservation to EWSS in Govt Jobs

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 2: Giving preferential treatment to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs) in matters of reservation in Government jobs, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday decided to go in for a constitutional amendment for the same, The proposed amendment relates to insertion of Clauses 15 (6) and 16 (6) in the Constitution of India, vide the Constitution (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Act, 2019.

Following the amendment, a 10 percent reservation would be provided to the residents of Punjab belonging to EWSs, who were not covered under the existing scheme of reservation for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes, and whose families had gross annual income below Rs 8 lakhs. 

The reservation will be provided in direct recruitment to groups A, B, C and D posts in Departments/Boards/Corporations/Local Bodies of the state. Family for this purpose will include income from all sources i.e. salary, agriculture, business, profession etc ,and it will be income for the financial year prior to the year of application. 

Punjab Cabinet

Also persons whose family owns or possesses any of the assets - 5 acres of agriculture land and above, residential flat of 1000 Sq. ft and above, residential plot of 100 sq. yards and above in notified Municipalities and residential plot of 200 sq. yards and above in areas other than the notified Municipalities - will be excluded from being identified as EWS, irrespective of the family income.

The income and assets of the family would be required to be certified after verifying all relevant documents as may be specified by the Government. The Cabinet also authorized the Chief Minister to approve framing, amendment and issue of any rules/notifications/instructions, as may be required, to give effect to this resolution.