West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee doubts if fresh quota decision can be implemented

KOLKATA: Expressing doubts over whether the decision to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education to upper castes can be implemented, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said it would seal "whatever little opportunities" those in the general category enjoyed so far.

Banerjee's comments came a day after Parliament cleared the quota Bill.

"The people in the general category do not enjoy many opportunities. And whatever little opportunities they had so far has now been sealed," Banerjee said while addressing a rally in Nadia district.

Banerjee pointed out that government job opportunities have shrunk. "But after this, a teacher's child, a labourer's child wouldn't get jobs. The poor people wouldn't get jobs. The common people will face hardships," she said.

Raising doubts over whether the decision can be implemented, she said: "Even if it is implemented, that would be detrimental (for the country)."

She also hinted that the latest quota policy would have difficulty in passing judicial scrutiny.

"The Supreme Court has ruled that reservation can never touch 50 per cent. But now the total reservation of seats is 59.5 per cent," said the Trinamool Congress supremo.