New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Constitution Amendment Bill 2021, which seeks to restore the power of states and union territories to make their own OBC lists.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar, who had earlier tabled the bill for discussion in the Lok Sabha, said it would empower the states to prepare the OBC list.
Reiterating the commitment of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for the welfare of the OBC community, he said the law would also help in strengthening the federal structure of the country.
Describing the bill as historic, Kumar said it would benefit 671 castes of the country.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, initiating the debate, said that the opposition is in support of the bill in the interest of the OBC community.
He stressed that the Congress party has always been at the forefront for the upliftment of OBCs.
Choudhary, however, alleged that the BJP-led government at the Center has brought the bill keeping an eye on the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
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The Congress leader also used the occasion to question the ruling government over the Pegasus espionage controversy and asked why the government has not launched an investigation like other countries.
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