New UP assembly’s sanctioned strength set to go down by one
LUCKNOW : The Uttar Pradesh assembly’s sanctioned strength is set to go down by one from 404 to 403 members when the 18th assembly is constituted following the 2022 polls in the state as the new house will not have a nominated member from the Anglo-Indian community.
This would happen in view of the fact that the 126th Constitutional amendment that extended reservation for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for 10 years did not provide for extending reservation for a member of the Anglo-Indian community.
In fact, it will be the last session of the 17th assembly when the state government convenes the winter session of the state legislature later this month. The assembly polls are due early next year.
“Yes, Uttar Pradesh assembly’s strength is set to come down to 403 at the end of the term of state assembly, if no steps are taken to extend the term of reservation for the Anglo-Indian community for another 10 years. The provision for reservation to the community ended on January 25, 2020 after 70 years,” said those aware of the development.
The Uttar Pradesh assembly has a seat reserved for a nominated member of the Anglo-Indian community. Denzil Godin is the nominated member from the community in the state assembly and his term expires in 2022. The state assembly had on December 31, 2019 ratified the Constitution (126th Amendment) Bill 2019, providing for extension of reservation of seats to scheduled castes (SCs) and scheduled tribes (STs) in the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies for a period of another 10 years, up to January 25, 2030.
Godin said several all-India associations of the Anglo-Indian community have petitioned the Prime Minister, the Union law minister and at various other levels of the Union government to reconsider the decision and extend reservation for the community for another 10 years.
“We have met personally at various levels and hope the Union government will take a decision soon to extend the reservation in the interest of the nation,” said Godin.
“The Constitution provided