Rajasthan raises OBC quota by 5% for Gujjars and four other nomadic communities

Jaipur, October 27: The Rajasthan assembly on Thursday passed a bill that has increased reservation for backward classes in the state from 21% to 26%. Notably, the Rajasthan government has created an extension in the new bill to provide quota benefits for Gujjars and four other nomadic communities.

 

Notably, with the passing Rajasthan Backward Classes Bill 2017, the total reservation in the state now stands at 54 percent from 50 percent, however, exceeding the 50 percent limit set by the Supreme Court. Now, Gujjars and four other nomadic communities will get direct benefits in educational institutions and government jobs.

The Backward Classes Bill 2017 provides 5% reservation to the other backward classes including Gujjar, Banjara, Gadia-Lohar, Raika and Gadariya communities. The bill was passed on last day of the ninth session of the assembly amidst uproar. The ninth session of Rajasthan assembly also witnessed a major controversy over the introduction of a bill giving immunity to public servants from investigation without prior sanction.

During the discussion on the bill, the ruling party’s legislators Prahalad Gunjal and Ghanshyam Tiwari questioned the bill. They expressed the apprehension that the Bill is not legally correct and it will not provide reservation for Gujjars.

Responding to the discussion, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Arun Chaturvedi said that according to the recommendation of the four commissions, the bill has been brought to the House and it will provide the benefit of reservations to five castes including Gujjars.

On the other hand, Gujjar leaders are not satisfied with this bill. They said that the bill is not in accordance with their agreement with the government. The government had earlier given reservation to five castes including Gujjars under SBC, but the High Court has dismissed the SBC reservation twice.