The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2019, was unanimously ratified by Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly during the Special Session – Fifth Session of the Fifth Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, after holding hectic discussions on the resolution for ratification.

 

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2019, which was passed by the Parliament in December 2019, seeks to extend the reservation for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes by another 10 years till January 25, 2030. The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly ratified the same unanimously on Thursday as it needs to be passed by at least 2-3 State Assemblies for getting it passed absolutely.

 

Bharatiya Janata Party National Vice-President Dr Raman Singh while advocating for providing life-time reservation to Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste (ST/SC) category population said that the although this Bill has been passed in both the Houses of Parliament seeking reservation for ST/SCT for another 10 years till January 25, 2030, but in actuality the reservation should be extended to these people for life time. Dr Singh said that rumours are being spread by political parties that NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anti-reservation, but this decision proves that the Central Government is in favour of reservation.

 

Dr Singh while quoting Late Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, said, “Social Justice has essentially two objectives - dignity and emancipation of the untouchables, who are called Dalit these days. They stand discriminated, despised and degraded in every sphere of life, social, economic, political, spiritual, cultural and emotional.” He added that in democracy every community should have equal opportunity. History is evident that for a very long time these communities were deprived from their rights, hence it becomes our responsibility to ensure that these communities should inclusively evolve. He said that it is social responsibility of all to provide equal political reservations to SC/ST communities so that they can empower themselves.

 

Dr Singh said that former Prime Minister Late Atal Behari Vajpayee had established a separate and

 

 

 

 

 

Amidst boycott by the entire opposition comprising Bharatiya Janata Party and Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (Jogi) barring the Bahujan Samaj Party, Governor Anusuiya Uikey delivered shortest address given by any Governor in the history of Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly.

 

In the parliamentary history of Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, a major development took place for the first time when the entire Opposition boycotted the Governor’s address alleging that the State Government had tried to set a wrong precedence. The opposition including BJP and JCC(J) alleged that the Governor’s address was not being conducted as per set traditions and norms.

 

As the Governor reached the house to deliver her address, senior BJP leader Brijmohan Agrawal stood up and stated that since the State Government is setting up wrong precedence and BJP is not going to be a party in it. Hence they are boycotting the proceedings and staging a walkout. He also said that the BJP will not give any amendments to the Governor’s address nor participate in discussions to be held on thanks giving proposal for Governor’s