OBC quota to remain at 21 pc, state panel mum on Gujjar demand

The Other Backward Classes Commission’s much-awaited report on the reservation in government jobs was handed over to Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday night.

The commission, headed by retired Justice I S Israni, has recommended a division of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota for special backward castes within the OBC’s 21 per cent.

While recommending that all backward classes be covered within the existing OBC quota, the commission, however, remained quiet on the Gujjar community’s demand for 5 per cent separate quota for them within the 21 per cent quota.

The commission examined quantifiable data with regard to the representation of Gujjars and other communities in the state services and made its opinion accordingly.

 The high court in 2010 had directed the commission to decide upon the 5 per cent quota demand made by Gujjars and other communities under the special backward category.

 The report recommended that reservation in any case should not exceed the 50 per cent limit. Gujjar community leaders have welcomed the development saying after this report the state government should implement reservation for them at the earliest.

The commission has chosen to remain silent on the issue of 14 per cent reservation on the basis of economic backwarndess as saying it was beyond the purview of its mandate.

It is feared that the Jats, who constitute the biggest part of the OBC category, may oppose any bifurcation of the quota.