Nathu Singh seeks Congress stand on reservation to Gujjars

Jaipur, Jan 14 (UNI) Rajasthan Cooperatives Minister Nathu Singh Gurjar today urged the Congress leadership to make clear the party's stand on Vasundhara Raje Government's move of extending 4 to 6 per cent reservation to Gujjars and some other similar groups under the Denotified Tribes or similar special category.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Gurjar said the state government had decided to write to the Centre, seeking its consent on the above move. The letter for the purpose was being drafted and the same would be sent within a couple of days.

He said the move was mooted by the BJP leadership to address Gujjar community's immediate needs. Gujjar community's demand of ST status could not be considered immediately even by the Centre as the same needed amendments in the Constitution and a lengthy process for amending norms for inclusion of a new caste into ST list, Mr Gurjar said.

The state government had also written to the Centre for amending the norms as suggested by Justice Jasraj Chopra Committee, he said.

Besides, the state government was also contemplating a special economic package for Gujjars to address their socio-economic needs.

A four-member committee under the Chairmanship of BJP Treasurer and sitting MP Ramdas Agrawal has already been entrusted the task of proposing suitable package to the community, the Minister added.

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