Opposition to quota within quota for ex-servicemen gains momentum

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot (File Photo)


The 12.5 percent reservation given by the previous BJP government in 2018 in Rajasthan to ex-servicemen within OBCs, SCs, STs, MBCs and EWS quota was is now being opposed by Other Backward Class Samiti and Rajasthan Jat Mahasabha. Even Congress MLA Harish Choudhary has expressed his reservations in this regard.

“It was unfortunate that a Cabinet meeting did not take up the issue despite Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approving the amendments in principle. I know that Cabinet Ministers and bureaucrats have no role. The chair was responsible for the deferment, and I do not know who will benefit from it,” said Harish Choudhary last evening while interacting with media persons.

“OBC communities, including Jats have strongly objected to it. I am yet to find out what happened in the Cabinet meeting and who all opposed it. The proceedings of the Cabinet are confidential,” he said.

Choudhary said he would meet Cabinet Ministers, PCC president Govind Singh Dotasara, and Sachin Pilot and apprise them that amending the 2018 circular will not impact anyone or any community’s reservation rights.

Jat Mahasabha chief Rajaram Meel has demanded the state government to separate the ex-servicemen quota. OBC Aakarshan Sangarsh Samiti has also warned of state-wide protests if the 2018 circular is not amended.

The circular states that a minimum of 12.5 per cent reservation is to be granted to ex-servicemen in government jobs within the quota being extended to OBCs, SCs, STs, MBCs and the EWS.