Chidambaram to hold talks with Jat leaders tomorrow

Home Minister P Chidambaram and Social Justice Minister Mukul Wasnik would be holding the talks on behalf of the government with an 11-member delegation of Jats led by Yashpal Malik.

The protesting Jats in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana has been demanding reservation in Central Government jobs under OBC category. The decision to hold talks with the agitating Jats was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Attorney General Goolam Vahanvati was also present at the meeting.

Government will make a statement in Parliament tomorrow on the issue, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ashwani Kumar earlier said in Rajya Sabha when the issue was raised by BJP member Ramdas Agarwal.

The over a week-long Jat stir has badly hit the rail movement with protestors squatted on rail tracks disrupting movement of trains in various parts of North India. Jats have threatened to cut all essential supplies to Delhi if their demands are not met by March 17. Agitators have also threatened plan to block the supply of oil from Mathura refinery to Delhi.