The BJP government in Rajasthan clarified on Monday that the Gujjars and four other nomadic communities, classified as Most Backward Classes, were also entitled to 21% reservation in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Arun Chaturvedi said at a press conference here that the State government was committed to implementing all agreements signed with the Gujjars and would ensure their socio-economic development.
The community had threatened to stage protests during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally here later this week if their demand was not met.
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The State government had issued a notification on December 21, 2017 granting 1% reservation to MBCs, comprising Gujjars and four other communities, within the 50% ceiling mandated by the Supreme Court. The overall reservation in the State stood at 49% before the decision.
Sub-categorisation
Along with Gujjars, the nomadic communities Banjara, Gadia-Lohar, Raika and Gadariya have been included in the State’s OBC category since 1994 for quota in government jobs and admission to educational institutions. Gujjars have been demanding sub-categorisation of OBC reservation for extending the quota benefit to them.
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