Patna, Apr 17 (IANS): Bihar has approved 35 percent reservation for women in the direct recruitment of constables and sub-inspectors, an official said Wednesday.

"The cabinet decision will come into effect immediately after a notification is issued," Cabinet Secretary Brajesh Mehrotra said. The cabinet took the decision late Tuesday.

Scheduled castes would be given 5.60 percent reservation, scheduled tribes 0.35 percent, extremely backward classes 6.3 percent and other backward classes 4.20 percent, while 17.50 percent would be reserved for the general category.

Mehrotra said that in case of unavailability of suitable women candidates, the reservation would be carried over for three years, after which male candidates may be recruited with the approval of the home department.

Earlier, Bihar Police chief Abhayanand said the recruitment process will start after the cabinet approves the proposal.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had announced the 35 percent reservation for women in police services last month.

In March, the Bihar government had announced reservation of 50 percent for women in cooperative societies.