Amid the Patidar agitation for reservation, the Gujarat Government on Friday announced 10 per cent reservation to the economically backward class (EBC) among the general category with an annual family income of up to `6 lakh per annum.
Patidar leaders, however, rejected it terming it a lollipop. They said it would not stand the scrutiny of court. The Congress, for its part, demanded 20 per cent reservation for the EBC. The decision, which came in the backdrop of reverses suffered by the BJP in the civic polls and in view of the Assembly elections due next year, however, breaches the reservation limit of 50 per cent set by the Supreme Court. The State Government already provides 49 per cent quota to SC/STs and OBCs.
The crucial decision was taken considering long pending demands of upper caste communities at the State BJP unit’s core group meeting which was chaired by party president Amit Shah. It set a family income cap of `6 lakh a year to avail the reservation benefit for admission into educational institutions and Government jobs.
The announcement was made at BJP’s Gujarat headquarters ‘Shri Kamalam’ on Friday by State BJP president Vijay Rupani in the presence of Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel.
BJP insiders termed the decision as a ‘masterstroke’ and party cadres in the State believe that the move would help dilute the ongoing quota agitation by Patels.
Talking to reporters, Rupani said that the State Government would bring an Ordinance on EBC reservation to upper caste communities on the Gujarat Foundation Day -- May 1.
later on, the Bill related to it would be introduced in the upcoming session of the State Assembly, he added. The Anandiben Patel Cabinet also ratified the decision in the evening.
Elaborating on reservation benefit to EBC, the State BJP chief said that the 10 per cent quota would be in addition to already available 49 per cent quotas for SC/ST, OBCs and other categories.
He further said that as the draft of the Ordinance would be prepared in such a way that the State Government would be able to defend it in Gujarat High Court as well as in the Supreme Court.
Asked if the move will stand legal scrutiny, Rupani said, “We are very serious about this and we will fight it up to the apex court for reservation of economically backward among the general category.”
“Reservation under EBC category to upper caste communities will be given to those whose family income would be less than Rs 6 lakh per annum. This quota would not dilute other reservation categories. The reservations will also be over and above the Rs 1,000 crore Mukhyamantri Yuva Swavalamban Yojana, which was announced by the Gujarat Chief Minister earlier,” said Rupani.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Bharatsinh Solanki said that his party had moved a private member’s Bill during recently concluded Budget Session of Gujarat Assembly in which 20 per cent reservation was recommended for people coming under EBC category.
Questioning the move, Solanki also demanded that the State Government should clarify how it would implement the EBC quota without violating the 49 per cent reservation cap.
Reacting on the decision, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Nikhil Savani said that it is lollipop as it would not stand scrutiny in a court of law. Savani blamed the State Government’s decision as a ploy to weaken the ongoing pro-quota agitation by Patidars.
PAAS spokesman Dharmik Malaviya clearly said that it would not accept the BJP’s EBC reservation proposal as their main demand was to release Hardik from jail and later on decide further on reservation issue.
According to another PAAS leader Brijesh Patel, Patidars want reservation under OBC quota the way Jats were given by the Haryana Government. He also threatened to launch statewide protest against the announcement.
However, another Patidar outfit Sardar Patel Group (SPG) led by lalji Patel welcomed the State Government’s move.
“We welcome this announcement, as SPG was always in favour of EBC quota rather than getting included in the OBC list,” SPG spokesperson Purvin Patel said.