TNI Bureau: Despite stiff opposition from the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Rajya Sabha passed the 117th Constitution Amendment Bill, which provides reservations in promotions in government jobs for the SCs and STs. 206 MPs voted in favour of the amendment. Just 10 MPs voted against it.

The quota in promotions bill was a long-standing demand of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), while the Samajwadi Party (SP) vehemently opposed it.

The bill would now be presented in Lok Sabha. With major political parties supporting the bill, it is all set to become a law even though 18 lakh government employees have been on a strike in protest against the bill.