"Historic step": PM Modi on passage of 10 pct quota bill in Lok Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said the smooth passage of the bill which provides 10 per cent quota for the general category poor in jobs and education in the Lok Sabha is a "strong answer" by the Parliament to those "spreading lies". Hoping the Rajya Sabha will pass the Bill Wednesday, Modi said the rights of the deprived sections, including the dalits and the tribal people, will not be affected because of this bill. He termed the the passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha as a "historic" step which seeks to uplift the deprived sections and also illustrates the commitment of the government to prioritising the good of those needing it the most.

The passage of the Citizenship Bill, seeking to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangaldesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan also found a mention in Modi's speech. He assured the people of Assam and North East that their rights will not be curtailed in any way through the bill's provisions. Speaking after inaugurating a highway project built at an investment of over Rs 970 crore, Modi said Solapur will soon be covered under the Udaan scheme which seeks to link far off places with air connectivity. He also laid the foundation stone of a over Rs 1,800 crore project of 30,000 houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana here.

(With inputs from agencies.)