The Rajasthan government on February 13, 2019, introduced a Bill in the Assembly to provide 5% quota in government jobs and educational institutes for Gujjars and four other communities.
The Rajasthan Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutes in the State and of Appointments and Posts in Services under the State) Amendment Bill, 2019, was presented by Energy Minister B.D. Kalla.
The decision was taken by the state government following a mounting agitation by the Gujjars since February 8, 2019, demanding quota in government jobs and education.
Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla and his supporters blocked the Delhi-Mumbai railway track and several highways and roads to press for their demands.
The Bill seeks to increase the backward classes’ reservation from the present 21% to 26% with 5% reservation for Gujjars, Banjaras, Gadia Lohars, Raikas and Gadaria.
The statement on the objective and reasons of the Bill states that the five castes are most backward and require five per cent separate reservation. It also mentions that the Central government recently passed the Constitution (One hundred and twenty-fourth amendment) Bill, 2019, wherein the limit of 50 per cent reservation was increased.
