Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday brushed aside the threat of Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla to revive the agitation for quota in government jobs for economically backward classes saying the demand was illogical.
“It seems that instigated by BJP, Mr. Bainsla was making such illogical demands when the state cabinet has taken a decision to go ahead with old reservation policy for recruitments in government services to ease the unemployment problem of the state,” he told PTI.
“Out of 80,000 jobs, 20,000 are under process with Rajasthan Public Service Commission,” he said.
Mr. Bainsla had warned of revival of agitation on Thursday last after the state government announced that the recruitment would continue as per old reservation policy. At least 70 persons have been killed in police action against agitating Gujjars in the past.
A year and half ago, then Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje had signed an accord with the Gujjars, promising them five per cent job reservation under EBC and 14 per cent for poor among the forward castes.
The Rajasthan High Court had in October 2009 stayed the quota provided by the State government to Gujjars and other economically-backward communities as it breached the 50 per cent limit set on reservations.
The State government had on Wednesday decided to resume the recruitment process as per old reservation following stay by the High Court.
