The Rajasthan government on February 13 introduced a bill in the Assembly to give 5% quota in jobs and educational institutes for Gujjars and four other communities.
The Rajasthan Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutes in the State and of Appointments and Posts in Services under the State) Amendment Bill, 2019, was presented by Energy Minister B.D. Kalla.
Gujjars have been holding demonstrations since Friday across the State for quota. They blocked the Delhi-Mumbai railway track and several highways and roads. Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla and his supporters blocked the railway track in Sawai Madhopur district on February 8.
The bill seeks to increase the backward classes’ reservation from the present 21% to 26% with 5% reservation for Gujjars, Banjaras, Gadia Lohars, Raikas and Gadaria
The statement on the objective and reasons of the bill says that the five castes are most backward and require five per cent separate reservation. It also mentions that the Central government recently passed the constitution amendment bill and the limit of 50 per cent reservation was increased.
Gujjar leaders said they want a concrete proposal on the matter.
