CM’s promise hits legal wall

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 20

Despite assurance by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar that the state government was willing to bring a Bill providing reservation to the Jats in the forthcoming Budget session of the Vidhan Sanha, the legislative and legal options are narrowing down for the BJP government.

Even the passage of a Bill in the Vidhan Sabha would not guarantee reservation for the Jats in the OBC category as the Supreme Court had already rejected the commission’s report providing reservation to the Jats and four other castes under the Special Backward Classes (SBCs).  In fact, a special leave petition (SLP) filed by the Haryana Government contesting the SC stay on the notification is still pending in the court. 

Senior advocate VK Jindal said though the state legislature was competent to legislate on any issue, legislating on the issue which had already been stayed by the Supreme Court and the high court would not stand the judicial scrutiny as it would circumvent the court judgments. Jindal, however, said it would be in the interest of the state government if the government nullified the previous notification providing reservation to the Jats and other castes and sought the permission of the courts to present fresh facts about the case to seek relief. 

"A new commission should be constituted for giving a time-bound report on the representation of these castes in the government jobs," he added. After all-party meeting yesterday, Khattar announced that the state government would bring a legislation in the Budget session to provide reservation to the Jats. However, with matter still pending in the courts, the efficacy of the Bill in providing quota to the Jats is being questioned as "ill-thought and hasty" step by the government.

Stir hits tourism industry in Himachal

Dharamshala: The Jat quota stir in Haryana have affected the tourism industry in Himachal Pradesh, particularly the influx over the weekend in this small state which is heavy dependent on this industry for finance. The vehicular traffic was hit on Chandigarh–Delhi Highway which is a major connecting road to this state, with the rest of country. Besides, cancellation of around two dozen trains daily have become the major hurdle in the tourist inflow to Himachal Pradesh.

The traffic on the NH-1 was resumed on Friday late evening and till Saturday morning. PTI

Powergrid puts off recruitment exam

New Delhi: The state-owned transmission utility firm Powergrid has deferred screening test for engineers due to agitation of Jats demanding job reservation. The test was originally scheduled for Sunday. "Test stands postponed. Fresh dates will be be announced later," Powergrid said in a statement. Haryana continued to be on the boil today as the Jat stir unleashed fresh incidents of violence and arson, in which a railway station, a police station and some buildings were set ablaze even as the Army had to use choppers to reach parts of the blocked Rohtak district. PTI

CPM slams Khattar government 

New Delhi: The "totally inept" handling of Jat reservation issue by the BJP Government in Haryana has led to a "crisis" in the state, CPI(M) said today and asked local people to not fall prey to "divisive" slogans. "It is clear the crisis is a consequence of totally inept handling of the issue by the state government. "Instead of showing responsibility to engage all stake holders concerned, it allowed the situation to drift through opportunistic double speak of BJP leaders," the CPM said in a statement. The Left party noted the ruling party leaders "stand divided" along caste lines from the outset with the motive of "appeasing" various communities to which they belong. PTI

QUOTES

Violence in certain parts of Haryana is very unfortunate. In a democracy, solution to any problem lies in discussion and dialogue… I appeal to my brothers and sisters of Haryana to maintain peace and order. —Rajnath Singh, Home Minister 

Violence is no solution to any problem, rather it creates hurdles in the path of development and prosperity… Protesters should desist from acts of vandalism and arson. I appeal all protesters to call off their stir and resolve the issue by sitting across the table. —Kaptan Singh Solanki, Haryana Guv

There is an atmosphere of anarchy (in Haryana). I appeal to the people leading the agitation to hold talks with our leadership....Youths who are at the forefront should also join talks. I appeal to the people of Haryana to maintain peace and harmony. —Birender Singh, Union Minister 

I am pained to say that while the BJP and RSS are conspiring to divide the nation through communalism and regionalism, they are also engaged in an obnoxious conspiracy of dividing Haryana on caste lines. —Randeep Surjerwala, Cong leader

I appeal to people of Haryana to maintain peace and brotherhood. Mutual harmony and dialogue can alone resolve any issue. —Rahul Gandhi, Cong VP