Rajasthan demands CMs meet to address Gujjar issue

Jaipur, May 26 (UNI) The Rajasthan cabinet today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to convene a conference of Chief Ministers ] of Gujjar agitation affected states, at an early date, to address the issue in national perspective.

The cabinet met here today to review the situation in the wake of ongoing Gujjar stir seeking ST status and endorsed Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's suggestion of Chief Ministers meet.

Soon after the cabinet meeting Ms Raje wrote a letter to the Prime Minister to urge for CMs meet.

In the letter, Ms Raje stated that during a national development council meet in New Delhi a few months ago she had suggested the idea of Chief Ministers' conference to address the Gujjars' demand of ST status as several states were affected by it.

The Chief Minister said the issue ought to be addressed and solved in national perspective.

Ms Raje had also stressed on an early decision of the impending issue of formulation of a new tribal policy, the draft of which was sent to all states about two years ago.

Ms Raje said the Centre knew that several pertaining issues and demands from different quarters, for inclusion in the ST list, were not possible to be resolved without amending the present norms and therefore, the impending policy should be formulated soon.

The Chief Minister also reminded the Prime Minister for early approval to the Rajasthan government's recommendation for grant of four to six per cent interim reservation to the Gujjars as non- scheduled tribal most backward group.

The Rajasthan government had sent recommendation to this effect to the Centre about five months ago.

Ms Raje's move of writting letter to the Prime Minister is seen as an effort to prepare ground conducive for opening of dialogue with agitating Gujjar leader Colonel Kirodi Singh Bainsla who is spearheading the 'dharna' at Pillukapura for the past three days.

UNI SS SP BD1803