Even a day after Centre assured giving reservation to Jat community in jobs and education, the violence continued to rage in Haryana as the death toll in the nine-day old Jat quota stir reached 16.
Violence continued unabated with incidents of stone-pelting, mobs attacking, security personnel trying to clear the blockades from across the State and incidents of arson and violence erupted in several districts including Rohtak, Kaithal, Sonipat and Hissar.
Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma informed that fresh violence had been reported in ladsoli village in Sonipat district where demonstrators blocked the national Highway-1. “We are hoping NH-1 traffic will be restored soon,” he said.
He added that talks are on with Jat leaders gathered near the Munak canal in Sonipat district. The canal supplies water to the national capital Delhi and water supply would be completely restored soon.
Haryana Government has decided to give an exgratia of Rs 10 lakh to next of kin of those innocent persons killed in the ongoing agitation and employment to a member of the family of the deceased. Also, no false case would be registered against anyone, informed Sharma.
The Cabinet meeting was convened to review the present situation in the state, said he.
When asked about the decision of convening the assembly session, he said that no date has been finalised to convene the assembly session. But Haryana Government will definitely bring a Bill in ensuing session of Haryana Vidhan Sabha to give reservation to Jats.
Even as agitators refused to withdrew the protest on ninth day and continued damaging private and private property in various parts of Haryana, the BJP led State Government again failed to clear its stand on the Jat reservation issue.
Replying to a questions on drafting the bill, Sharma said that in the all party meeting convened on February 19,the Chief Minister had already made the offer and asked for unanimity on the provisions of the draft Bill.
Both the INlD and the Congress had welcomed this and suggested for consultations on draft Bill before it was moved in the ensuing session of the State Assembly.
When asked about the kind of reservation quota proposed to be given to the Jats, Sharma said that the State Government would not disturb the quota of 27 per cent reservation meant for the Other Backward Classes. He added that as a Bill is being brought, the Government would make a separate provision for their reservation.
Sharma informed that Chief Minister has directed the Chief Secretary to work out the losses suffered due to the Jat agitation and also compensation to be given to the affected people. Reports of losses from all the Departments have been sought, he said
Asked about police failure in containing the worsening law and order situation and whether responsibility of officers would be fixed, the Minister said that reports from fields are yet to come and we cannot fix responsibility before the final
report.