Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment and president of Republican Party of India (Athawale), Ramdas Athawale called for increasing the cap on reservation from 50 to 75 percent to include economically weaker sections and other castes. He was addressing media persons in lucknow on Saturday.
“Our party has suggested that reservation be increased from the present 50 to 75 per cent so that the economically weaker section ccould also be added. He said that families with annual income of Rs 6 lakh and some other castes could be accommodated,” he said.
The Union Minister said there was nothing wrong in increasing the quota to include economically backward castes and an amendment in the Constitution could fulfill their aspirations.
The RPI president also suggested that Uttar Pradesh should be divided into two parts, with one being Poorwanchal with its capital as Varanasi. He said bifurcation of UP would help in better governance and curbing atrocities against Dalits.
“As per Government figures, there are around 45,000 cases of atrocities against Dalits in a year and in 2016-17 in UP, the number of such cases were 8,915, the highest in India. Such incidents can be curbed only by good governance and effective law and order,” said the minister.
Athawale also demanded from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to waive off Rs 232 crores of loans of khet majdoor and dalits taken from Schedule Caste Development Corporation in the State.
“It is a good move by the UP government to waive off farm loans to the tune of Rs 36,000 crores. If the outstanding loan of Rs 232 crores are waived off, it would immensely benefit the Dalit community and I would write to the CM in this connection,’’ said the RPI chief.
Athawale also lambasted BSP chief Mayawati for resigning from the Rajya Sabha terming it as a ‘drama’.
“She has lost the plot in politics and in desperate search for a viable issue to remain politically relevant, she enacted the drama of resigning from Rajya Sabha and gain sympathy of the Bahujan Samaj.
“When the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha are of Congress, how can she blame the BJP for not allowing her to speak in the House,” he asked.
Expressing strong disapproval of cow vigilantism, the RPI chief said that a tough law should be enacted to curb illegal activities of Gau rakshaks’. He said that the RPI would be revived in UP by registering over 50,000 new members and holding a big rally in lucknow in next March.