Rajasthan raises OBC quota by 1% for Gujjars and four other nomadic communities

Jaipur, December 22: With an aim to provide benefits in educational institutions and job opportunities to Gujjars and four other backward castes, the Rajasthan Government on Thursday approved one percent of reservation.

 

Notably, the allotment of one percent reservation to Gujjars and four other backward castes also completes the 50 percent quota limit for reservations in Rajasthan. The Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions in the State and of Appointments and Posts in Services under the State) Bill provided reservation to the five "most backward" OBC communities, including Gujjars and four other communities.

The four other communities are Banjara, Baldiya, Labana; Gadiya Lohar, Gadoliya; Raika, Rebari, Debasi and Gadariya, Gadri, Gayari, which were earlier grouped as the special backward classes (SBC). Earlier, in the year, the Rajasthan assembly passed a bill that has increased reservation for backward classes in the state from 21% to 26% which was later stayed by Supreme Court as it was exceeding the 50 percent limit set by the apex judiciary.

However, the Rajasthan government tabled the Bill in Assembly's monsoon session this year in the wake of widespread agitation by the Gujjar community, demanding reservation under the backward class category.