Gehlot writes to PM to remove property clause from EWS quota

JAIPUR: Chief minister Ashok Gehlot has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to request him to remove the property clause from reservation for economically backward section (EWS) in government jobs and educational institutions.

Gehlot said the state government had removed the clause of assets such as agricultural land and residential plots as eligibility for the EWS reservation. “The Central government should also take this decision to provide relief to the youth,” the CM said in his letter.

10% EWS reservation is given to persons who are not covered under the scheme of reservation for SCS, STS and OBCS and whose family has gross annual income is below Rs 8 lakh. The quota excludes people whose family owns or possesses 1.5 acres of agricultural land and above, residential area of 1000 sq ft. and above, residential plot of 100 sq. yards and above in notified municipalities, residential, plot of 200 sq. yards and above in areas other than the notified municipalities.

Gehlot said after the removal of the property clause the youth was forced to get different EWS certificates made for the state and Central jobs and educational institutions. “If the Centre removes this clause, youth in the country will find it easier to get jobs or get admissions.” The assessment of property for EWS certificates was a complicated process, which was making it difficult for eligible people to get quota benefits. “It is important to make the process simple,” Gehlot said. HTC