The central government is willing to bring about a Bill that would give statutory backing to reservations in promotions to Dalits, tribal groups and other backward classes, reported The Indian Express. Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot said the Congress, however, needs to be on board for the legislation to be passed in the House.

“We need to create the right atmosphere. If the Congress can give in writing that it favours reservation in promotions (for members of SC, ST and OBC communities), the government will push forward the proposal….This government is in favour of reservation in promotions. We supported the bill in the Rajya Sabha, when the UPA brought it in 2012. But it could not be taken forward when it was brought in the Lok Sabha...," he said in the lower house.

Gehlot was replying to Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who said the Narendra Modi-led government should “make use of its majority in the Lok Sabha” and push the Bill. He said the Bharatiya Janata Party government is committed to providing reservation in promotion to the SCs, STs and OBCs.