Jaipur:
It's a moment to celebrate that the Gujjars have waited for years. As the Rajasthan Governor stamped his approval on the Quota bill late n Thursday night in Jaipur, the Gujjars had got 5 per cent reservations under a special category of nomadic tribes.
Besides 5 per cent quotas for Gujjars, the Bill had promised 14 per cent reservations for the economically backward among Upper castes. As all this pushed reservations in Rajasthan to a huge 68 per cent, there had been serious doubts about its legal validity. But after the Governor's approval the Gujjars are thrilled and have promised to withdraw their agitation that's killed 70 people in Rajasthan in the past 2 years.
"This is a historic decision. On behalf of our community I am grateful to the Chief Minister and thank him heartily," said Gujjar leader Col K S Bainsla.
Besides Gujjars, the bill has also given 14 per cent reservations to the poor among Upper castes on an economic basis. While it was the former Vasundhara government that had passed this bill the Congress now seems keen to corner the credit.
"In the last elections, we had promised in our Manifesto that we will give reservations on an economic basis. I am very happy that the Governor has approved quotas on economic basis also," said Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister, Rajasthan.
But the reservation pie in Rajasthan is now 18 per cent - more than the Supreme Court ceiling of 50 per cent. And experts say this could spell legal trouble.
Having got reservations after a long and bitter battle, Gujjars here are more than thrilled. But the big question is if all this was possible and is legally permissible, why was the Quota bill kept pending for so long?