The Punjab government today doubled the quota for other backward classes (OBCs) in educational institutions from 5 per cent to 10 per cent.
The quota for members of backward classes has also been increased in technical and professional institutions in the state, an official spokesman said here.
However, the decision does not have any impact on the quota for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, which remains unchanged at 25 per cent.
The increase comes into effect immediately as the Welfare Department has already issued a notification in this regard, he said.
"The move aims to uplift other backward classes, which suffered extreme suppression and victimisation in the past 10 years of the SAD-BJP misrule," the spokesman said.
The Congress had promised several measures to uplift OBCs and Dalits, including increasing their quota in educational institutions and jobs, in its election manifesto.
The Punjab government had in March 1964 notified 20 per cent reservation and 2 per cent seats for the members of scheduled castes/scheduled tribes and backward classes in education, technical and professional institutions.
These norms were revised in 1974, when the state government enhanced the quota by 5 per cent, taking it to 25 per cent in case of members of scheduled castes and to 5 per cent in case of members of backward classes.
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