Gujjars ready to welcome Rahul yatra after talks click

Jaipur: After holding talks with the government for four days, leaders of Gujjar Arakshan Sangarh Samiti (GASS) said on Thursday that the community would welcome Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra (BJY), which is slated to enter Rajasthan on December 4.
GASS, which had earlier threatened to oppose BJY in the state, changed its mind after attending the meetings with representatives of the state government, which had invited them for the talks, and getting assurances on a range of demands it had raised. Gujjar leader Vijay Bainsla, who had issued the threat about opposing BJY, said the talks were successful and that the outfit would now welcome the yatra.
Gujjars have been demanding the implementation of the 2019 and 2020 agreements reached with the government on 5% reservation for the most backward classes (MBCs) in recruitments. Bainsla said it was agreed that the government would implement the MBC backlog in recruitment.
“It is in process, and the unfilled vacancies of a previous year will be carried forward. It was also agreed that the concession of marks in competitive exams will be similar to that for the SC/STs. Passing mark for the SC/STs is only 35% against 45% for other communities,” said Bainsla.
The government also agreed to review the Devnarayan scheme every three months for its effective implementation, he added. Tuition fees of MBBS students will be reduced for MBC students. The government will also initiate bail in 17 bailable cases and take up with the Centre 20 non-bailable offenses, including the destruction of Railway properties,” added Bainsla.
A committee will also be formed to address the grievances that emerged in previous recruitments and the government would come out with a solution in a month, said GASS leaders.
“An agreement was reached with the Gujjars on their demands during the four days’ of talks held in a cordial environment. The committee will solve in a month whatever problems the MBCs faced in previous recruitments,” said Devnarayan Board chairperson Joginder Singh Awana.