New Delhi, Apr 30 (IANS): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati Monday called for amending the constitution to provide reservation in job promotions to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha after the Supreme Court Friday overruled the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to provide reservations in government job promotions, the BSP leader demanded a debate in parliament over the issue.

"There have been such decisions which have affected reservation for SCs and STs. Bring necessary amendment in the constitution and get it passed in this session, so that the SCs and STs get their due," she said.

The decision, introduced in 2007 when she led the Uttar Pradesh government, had caused major furore in the state with over 10 lakh employees being aggrieved by the decision to reserve promotions in top posts for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.

Raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha Monday morning, Mayawati sought a debate on the issue, adding that it was an attack on the rights of the SCs and the STs.

Responding to it, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said the government was "ready for the debate whenever the members want it".