Uncertainty looms over Gujjar-Govt accord

Jaipur, Jun 18 (UNI) Uncertainty prevailed today over the announcement of accord on Gujjar ST status demand following delay in formalising and signing of agreement between the Gujjar leaders and the Rajasthan government.

The accord which was scheduled to be signed sometime around noon could not be formalised till 1530 hrs due to repeated re-drafting of the agreement, forcing the administration to defer the press conference for announcement of the signing of accord.

The press conference was scheduled to be held at 1230 hrs but the same could not be held due to non-completion of deal formalities.

After waiting for more than 2 hours at the venue, the mediapersons were informed of the postponement and were advised to come again after 1630 hrs.

The meeting between the Rajasthan Government and Gujjar Delegates, which was earlier cheduled to be held at 1130 hrs, was rescheduled for 1530 hrs.

The official sources said that procedural delays led the situation,however, unofficial reports said that it was caused in the wake of differences between the two sides over expressions on two or three points in the accord.

The Rajasthan Government and agitating Gujjar leaders had last night reached a settlement over the community's demand for ST status, paving the way to end the 26-day-old Gujjar stir, but a formal signing of the agreement was scheduled for today.

Gujjar leader Col Kirori Singh Bainsla and Government delegation leader and Rajya Sabha member Ramdas Agrawal had made categorical announcement on achieving settlement at a joint press briefing here.

Col Bainsla and Mr Agrawal had said the historic settlement had been achieved in the larger interests of 50 million people of the desert state.

Mr Agrawal and Col Bainsla had also thanked all concerned, including Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, the state government, the ruling BJP leadership, the media and the people of the state, for cooperating and facilitating the accord.

The settlement was arrived at after a four-hour-long fifth and final round of talks between Gujjar and the state government delegations which lasted till late last evening.

UNI SS PK BD1633