BH-JD(U-QUOTA

Bihar JD(U) chief Bashishtha

Narayan Singh said Friday that the state government would take

"appropriate decision" with regard to implementing 10 per cent

quota for upper castes in state government jobs.

"The entire proposal (in the form of Bill giving 10

per cent quota to economically weaker sections among general

category) is yet to come. The state government would take an

appropriate decision with regard to implementation of 10 per

cent quota in state government jobs," Singh told reporters

here.

The Parliament on Wednesday passed the Constitution

Amendment Bill giving 10 per cent quota in education and

employment to economically weaker sections among the general

category.

While speaking to mediapersons at his residence, Singh

said Bihar has already taken initiatives in this regard.

The Bihar JD(U) chief said that the then Bihar CM

Karpoori Thakur gave three per cent reservation in 1977 to

economically weaker sections among the upper castes in the

state.

Singh said that it was his party leader Nitish Kumar,

the JD(U) national president, who set up a commission for

upper castes.

Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, also urged everyone to

participate in 'Makar Sankranti' celebrations on January 14

at his residence.

Asked whether he would also extend invitation to

Tejashwi Yadav and former CM Rabri Devi for the event, he said

"if invitation will be sent, then it will be sent to both of

them. But so far I have not talked to any leader on phone.

Once I have a telephonic talk with them, I will let you

(mediamen) know (about sending invitations to them)".

Earlier, RJD leader Jageshwar Rai, along with 400

supporters from Vaishali district, joined the JD(U) in the

presence of Singh and other leaders.

Rai had unsuccessfully contested 2010 Assembly polls

on RJD ticket in 2010 from Mahua Assembly seat in Vaishali.

Singh welcomed Rai and said that his entry would help

further strengthen the party especially in Vaishali and

Muzaffarpur districts where he is quite popular.