Gujjar Mahasabha welcomes the proposal for 'denotified tribe'

Jaipur, Jan 13 (UNI) Rajasthan Gujjar Mahasabha today welcomed the proposal for reservation of the Gujjars under a special category of 'nomadic and pastoral tribes' or denotified tribe in the state till their demand for ST status was sorted out.

Addressing a press conference here Jaipur Zilla Pramukh Ram Gopal Gaurd said the proposal was a relief to the Gujjars who had been demanding reservation in the Scheduled Tribe but it was under the jurisdiction of the Central government.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje had mooted the proposal for a four to six per cent reservation for the Gujjars under a special category of nomadic and pastroal tribes outside ST status to meet their demand.

Akhil Bharatiya Gujjar Mahasabha general secretary Yashveer Singh said the reservation similar to ST was granted to 'Denotified Tribes' in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra. He said this could be done by the state government and the same may be implemented in Rajasthan till the Central government makes modifications in the conditions for Scheduled Tribe.

He said if Gujjars were accorded the status of denotified tribes they would get the benefits in the form of reservation in state services, educational institutions, membership in the state service commissions etc.

Former Mayor of Jaipur Sheel Dhabhai said it was a 'first aid' rather than a real cure for the social and educational backwardness of the Gujjars and welcomed it as something better than nothing.

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