Gujjars entitled to 21% quota under OBC in Rajasthan

Five castes, including Gujjars, under the most backward classes (MBC) are now entitled to the 21% quota meant for Other Backward Class (OBC) category for admission to educational institutions and recruitment in state government jobs, the Rajasthan government has ordered. Representation image

Five castes, including Gujjars, under the most backward classes (MBC) are now entitled to the 21% quota meant for Other Backward Class (OBC) category for admission to educational institutions and recruitment in state government jobs, the Rajasthan government has ordered.

The separate orders, dated July 1 issued by the Department of Personnel (DoP) on Monday, clarified that the most backward classes are entitled to the 21% reservation under Other Backward Class (OBC) also. The order came a day after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Rathore assured the Gujjar leaders of issuing a fresh notification at the earliest. Gujjars had threatened to stage a stir during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jaipur on July 7.

The five castes under the most backward class (MBC) are (1) Banjara/Baldia/Labana, (2) Gadia-Lohar/Gadalia, (3) Gujjar/Gurjar, (4) Raika/Rebari and (5) Gadaria (Gaadri), who were initially enlisted under OBC since 1994.

As per the two separate orders for admissions and recruitment, the candidates (from five castes of MBC) will be considered first under the OBC (21%) category and then under the MBC (1%).

Gujjar leaders had drawn the attention of the government repeatedly that most backward classes were being considered only for the MBC reservation. In May, around 1,500 villagers attended a 'mahapanchayat' called by the Gujjar community in Adda village of Bharatpur district against the Rajasthan government.

HC stays bill

Following the orders, Gurjar Aaraksan Sangharsh Samiti (GASS) has announced withdrawal of the protest planned on July 7. "We express our satisfaction. We will no more be protesting on July 7," Himmat Singh, spokesperson of the GASS said.

The Rajasthan Assembly had in October last year passed a bill to raise the OBC reservation from 21 to 26% to provide 5% quota to Gujjars and other castes. However, the high court stayed the bill as it would have increased the overall reservation to 54%. Later, the Supreme Court too directed the Rajasthan government not to exceed the 50% cap on reservation.