Raje Govt ready to hold talks with Gujjars in Bayana ; awaits reply

Jaipur, Jun 8 (UNI) The Rajasthan Government today conceded the Gujjar leaders' demand for holding talks in Bayana over the ongoing agitation for ST status.

The state Government has decided to send Irrigation Minister Sanwar Lal Jat and Mines Minister Laxmi Narain Dave to Bayana to hold the initial round of talks with the Gujjar delegation, BJP Treasurer and Rajya Sabha M P Ramdas Agrawal told UNI here tonight .

However,the team of the two ministers would be sent to Bayana only after the receipt of the Gujjar leaders'written acceptance to the state Government's offer for talks, Mr Agrawal clarified .

As per the Government's offer, the initial round of talks is to be held in Bayana while the further rounds are to be held in Jaipur .

Earlier, Principal Secretary (Water Resources) S N Thanvi had conveyed the state government's acceptance of Bayana as the venue for the talks to Gujjar Reservation Action Committee Convener Col (retd) Kirodi Singh Bainsla over the telephone.

Mr Thanvi, who has been camping in Bayana since the launch of Gujjar agitation on May 23, said he had told Col Bainsla that the initial round of talks to address the demand and dispute related issues could be held in Bayana and the further rounds of talks might be held in Jaipur.

The state government was still waiting for the written reply from Col Bainsla, Mr Agrawal said .

Eds. pl. pick up suitably from the earlier .

UNI SS PDT UCS2331