Government in favour of reservation to jats: Khattar

Chandigarh, February 19, 2016: Haryana Chief Minister Mr Manohar Lal Khattar today said that the Government is in favour of reservation to jats in the state and trying to find out ways and means for the same.
The Chief Minister, who as talking to media persons shortly after presiding over an all party meeting here said that as the leaders of various political parties have appealed the agitating Jats to call of their agitation, he hoped that the agitation would end by today evening.
The meeting was attended by State BJP President Mr. Subhash Barala, Education Minister Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, former Chief Minister and Congress MLA Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, CLP leader Mrs Kiran Choudhary, Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee President Mr. Ashok Tanwar, INLD President Mr. Ashok Arora, INLD MLA Mr Jasvinder Singh Sandhu, BSP MLA Mr Tek Chand Sharma and independent MLA Mr Jai Parkash.
The Chief Minister said that State Government would prepare a draft Bill for reservation and suggestions have also been sought from all parties in this regard. He said that the Government has positive approach on this demand and if all parties agreed , the government would bring a Bill in the ensuing session of Haryana Vidhan Sabha. He said that State government had already filed SLP in the court against the stay.
The Chief Minister said that Member of Parliament, Mr Raj kumar Saini has been asked to withdraw his statement against the jats. If the words of Mr Saini have hurt the sentiments of the jats, all his statements may be treated as withdrawn. Mr Saini was out of station and as and when he comes back, he would take his words back, he added.
The Chief Minister said that in a meeting with a section of agitating jats on February 17, 2016, he had already announced to enhance the quota of reservation in government jobs and for admission to educational institutions for Economically Backward Classes from 10 to 20 per cent. Earlier also a meeting was held with Jat Khap and other leaders to resolve the issue in which it was decided to constitute a committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary to study all aspects of the issue of reservation for Special Backward Classes. He appealed the agitating Jats to exercise restrain and call off their agitation so as to maintain peace and brotherhood in the state.
In reply to a question, the Chief Minister said that no body is allowed to take law in his hands. After today’s meeting where all party leaders had consented to appeal, it is hoped that the agityating jats would end their agitation by the evening, he added.
On being asked to comment on the possibilities of politicization of the issue, the Chief Minster said that agitations are conducted but it is not good to blame any political party. There are several ways to protest peacefully other than blocking roads, railway tracks and creating problem to the common masses./ (SK Vyas, Jalandhar)