‘Panel report on quota within quota soon’
LUCKNOW:Hinting that the Narendra Modi government may play ‘quota within quota’ card for reservation to most backward sections ahead of Lok Sabha elections, union home minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the committee looking into the issue would submit its report soon.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the issue (quota within quota) about 3-4 days ago. A committee headed by justice (retd) G Rohini has been set up and it will submit its report soon,” Singh said while briefing media persons about the Modi government’s achievements on its completion of four years in office.
CM Yogi Adityanath and UP BJP president Mahendra Nath Pandey were also present on the occasion.
Singh said he had implemented quota within quota during his tenure as UP chief minister. He also referred to the announcement made by Yogi Adityanath during the budget session of the state assembly on March 22 this year regarding setting up of a committee to consider reservation to most backward castes (MBCs) and ati-dalits (most deprived among dalits).
“I had implemented quota within quota (as UP CM). CM Yogi Adityanath has also made his stand on the issue clear in the state assembly,” he said.
Singh’s observations become significant in the backdrop of BJP’s efforts to weaken the support base of the SP-BSP alliance ahead of Lok Sabha elections.
The state government also released a four-page booklet titled ‘Saaf Niyat, Sahi Vikas…nav utkarsh ke chaar varsh’. The booklet, however, did not mention the work done for minorities by the Modi government. “A lot has been done (for minorities). There was reference to Haj pilgrimage in the presentation (at the press conference). There are some scholarships too. We will send you details,” said Singh.
He said the Centre was making efforts to bring down the prices of petrol and diesel. Lauding the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government for making India one of the top 10 economies in the world, Singh provided statistical data to make his point.
He said India was moving at a faster pace under the Modi government as compared to UPA regime.
On ceasefire violation in Indo-Pakistan border areas, Singh said the Centre had not announced any ceasefire. “It was not a ceasefire. We had suspended operations during Ramzan, the holy month for Muslims. We had made it clear that operations will resume if there is any act of terrorism. The hands of army and other security forces have not been tied. Five terrorists have been killed there,” said Singh. “We have a clear policy. We are ready to talk with those who want to hold talks,” he said.
“We have done whatever we could. We are making efforts to build a new India. Even our adversaries will not raise any question about the government’s intentions,” said Singh.