Rajya Sabha spent about five hours discussing the constitution amendment bill. File
New Delhi:
A constitutional amendment bill to restore states’ powers to create their own OBC lists was passed by parliament today.
The 2021 Constitution (one hundred and twenty-seventh amendment) was passed by the Rajya Sabha when 187 members voted in favour. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha a day earlier.
Some opposition amendments were rejected in the Senate.
The bill was passed after a split vote with 187 members voting in favour. No member voted against.
Earlier in the day, Virendra Kumar, the minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, who introduced the bill, said the legislation will help restore states’ powers to have their own lists of OBCs, which were rejected by the Supreme Court.
The Rajya Sabha, which has witnessed a blockade on issues such as Pegasus and agricultural laws, debated the bill for about five hours today as members of both the treasury and opposition benches participated.
Under Article 368 of the Constitution, a bill amending the Constitution requires a special majority for approval in both Houses of Parliament.
There must be a majority of the total number of members of the House and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present to vote.
