BHOPAL: A division bench of Madhya Pradesh high court on Tuesday stayed increase in OBCs reservation in government jobs and educational institutions in the state to 27 per cent from 14 per cent. Chief minister Kamal Nath had announced increase in reservation to OBCs recently along with provision of 10 per cent reservation to poor among the upper castes.Suman Singh from Bhopal , Arpita Dubey from Jabalpur and another petitioner had challenged increase in OBC quota in the high court. The petitioners contended that they had appeared in NEET, 2019, and counselling for admission in medical colleges would begin next week. On March 8, 2019, state government through an ordinance increased reservation quota for OBCs to 27 per cent from 14 per cent. They reasoned that the increase in quota for OBCs was against the provisions of Constitution.Advocate Aditya Sanghi, who appeared on behalf of the petitioners, argued that reservation for SC/ST/OBCs has gone up to 63 per cent following increase in reservation for the OBCs. Referring to cap of 50 per cent fixed on reservation quota by the apex court, he said that the ordinance issued by the state government was against the guideline laid down by the Supreme Court on maximum reservation and was therefore in contravention to Constitution.Principal secretary and director, medical education, have been made respondents in the petition. The court, while staying operation of the ordinance in question, issued notices to the respondents seeking response in four weeks.

Stay updated with all the Bhopal Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.