Jittery BJP announces 1 per cent quota for Gujjars

Jaipur: Scare given by the recently concluded Gujrat Assembly elections seems to be having its impact as a jittery BJP has announced one per cent quota for Gujjars and four other castes. After the state Cabinet’s approval, the proposal has been sent to the governor. The government will issue a notification after the governor’s assent.

Five castes, including Gujjars, will get one per cent reservation within the 50 per cent legal limit in Rajasthan, parliamentary affairs minister Rajendra Singh Rathore said. Apart from Gujjars, other four castes are Banjara/Baldia/Labana, Gadia-Lohar/Gadalia, Raika/Rebari and Gadaria.

“The decision was taken to give one per cent reservation to Gujjars and other castes under the most backward category,” said state parliamentary affairs minister Rajendra Rathore. A notification will be issued after the governor’s approval, he said. The present overall reservation percentage in the state stands at 49 per cent.

Since the state already has 49 per cent reservation, the state government has created more backward category to provide separate one per cent reservation to these communities while they would continue to receive OBC reservation as well.