The Rajasthan Assembly on Wednesday passed a Bill giving a five per cent quota in government jobs and educational institutes to the agitating Gujjars and four other communities.
The Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government also presented the vote-on-account of over Rs 86,906 crore for the first four months, which was passed by a voice vote.
The Congress government introduced the quota Bill following massive protests in the state led by Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla demanding reservation for the community.
His supporters have blocked the Delhi-Mumbai railway track in Sawai Madhopur district and several highways since Friday.
The bill seeks to increase the Backward Classes' reservation from the present 21 per cent to 26 per cent with a five per cent quota for Gujjars, Banjaras, Gadia Lohars, Raikas and Gadaria communities. The statement on the objective and reasons for the Bill said the five castes are the most backward and required separate reservation in government jobs and educational institutes.
While presenting the vote-on-account, the Congress government also presented budget estimates for 2019-20 with a total expenditure of Rs 2,31,654 crore.
Chief Minister Gehlot, who also holds the finance portfolio, said it is not possible to discuss budget proposals and get an annual budget passed in the Assembly before March 31 due to upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
He said that the vote-on-account was presented for approval in the assembly for expenditure on election, drinking water, relief from natural disaster and cooperatives.
“Previous government's misgovernance derailed the state from the path of progress. Wrong policies and short-sighted thinking state lagged on various economic parameters. We will work hard day and night to make Rajasthan prosperous," Gehlot said in the Assembly.
He said that total debt on the state during the Congress government in 2013-14 was Rs 1,29,910 crore. As per revised estimate for 2018-19, debt and liabilities are estimated to increase by 138 per cent equalling to Rs 3,09,385 crore.
Gehlot highlighted various decisions taken by the government after coming into power.
He talked about waiver of all outstanding cooperative short term crop loan of all farmers under all categories, providing bonus of Rs 2 per litre to all milk producers who supply milk to cooperative dairy federations, hike in old age pension, providing wheat and rice at Rs 1 and 2 per kg to BPL and Antyodaya families, unemployment allowance of Rs 3,500 per month for eligible females and specially abled youth and Rs 3,000 per month for eligible male.
(PTI)
