Chautala for reservation on economic conditions

Fatehabad, June 3 (UNI) Former Haryana Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala today advocated reservation based on economic conditions rather than caste based reservation which is currently prevalent.

Talking to mediapersons at Dharsul village today, he said both the Congress and the BJP had the history of making people fight against each other over caste or religion.

Referring to agitation by Gujjars in Rajasthan and some parts of Haryana, Mr Chautala said that in last assembly elections in Rajasthan, the BJP had assured the Gujjar community that they would be included in the Scheduled Tribes list. But the party forgot its promise soon after coming to power and the results were now in front of all, he added.

He said that including a particular caste in the Scheduled Tribe category was the job of the Central government and the states could only send their recommendations. However the BJP, in its greed for power misled the Gujjar community, he added.

Mr Chautala strongly criticised the Congress government in Haryana, which he said, was a failure on all fronts. The INLD leader alleged that the condition of farmers, labourers and small traders was very miserable in Haryana.

He said that it was pitiable that the government was purchasing wheat of the farmers for Rs 850 per quintal only but was importing it at much higher rates.

UNI