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Gujjars sign pact with Rajasthan govt
The Rajasthan government on Wednesday reached an agreement with the Gujjar leaders, ending the 17-day siege of railway and road transport by the community members in the state. HT reports.
The Rajasthan government on Wednesday reached an agreement with the Gujjar leaders, ending the 17-day siege of railway and road transport by the community members in the state.
Gujjar leaders signed an agreement with government officials in the presence of chief secretary S Ahmed.
Higher education minister Jitendra Singh, a member of the negotiating committee said, "The Government will move a special review petition in the Rajasthan high court to give 5% reservation in jobs for Gujjars and three castes (Gariya-Lohar, Banjara and Raikas)."
The high court had recently disallowed the quota as it exceeded the limit of 50% quota.
"If the court rejects the review petition then it will approach the Supreme Court to get relief for the Gujjars and three other castes," the minister said.
As per the agreement, a committee headed by principal secretary home would be constituted to review the cases registered against agitators. It will submit its report to the government in three months.
The home department will act as a nodal agency and a committee would be constituted under the chairmanship of the chief secretary to implement the accord.
The government also agreed to ask Backward Classes Commission to collect data on reservations and recommend that the Gujjars be put in the SBC category.
Chief minister Ashok Gehlot said, "I am satisfied with the outcome of the dialogue with Gujjar leaders..."
Gujjar leader Col Kirori Singh Bainsla said, "The Gujjars will now end the sit-in at the railway track in Peelupura in Bharatpur district."
Appreciating the CM's gesture, he said, "The government was serious about settling the issue hence we could sign an agreement with the officials."
The third round of talks that began on Wednesday saw Bainsla and a 20-member team discuss the issue with representatives including ministers Jitendra Singh, Shanti Dhariwal and Brij Kishore Sharma.
