Jats, 5 other castes get Haryana quota

Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 29

In a victory for Jat organisations seeking OBC status for the community, the Haryana Assembly today passed a Bill providing them and five other castes reservation in government jobs and the education sector by constituting a new classification (Block ‘C’) in the Backward Classes category.

The Haryana Backward Classes (Reservation in Services and Admission in Educational Institutions) Bill, 2016, was moved by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and seconded by BJP legislator Ravinder Machhroli.

This Bill, as well as another one for setting up a Haryana Backward Classes Commission, were passed unanimously in 13 minutes without any discussion. Congress MLAs, boycotting proceedings to protest the suspension of three legislators, were absent.

The Bill provides 10 per cent reservation in Class III and IV posts and 6 per cent reservation in Class I and II posts. It also gives 10 per cent reservation to Jats, Sikh Jats, Rors, Bishnois, Muslim Jats and Tyagis in educational institutions. Sticking to its decision not to fiddle with the existing quota for BC “A” and BC “B” to accommodate the six new castes, the government has, in fact, increased their quota marginally to ensure there is no heartburn. 

The government will request the Centre to include the legislation in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. “Castes not covered under any category will be given reservation under Economically Backward Classes (EBC),” the CM said.