Jat quota bill to be introduced in budget session, says Haryana CM Khattar

Chandigarh: A bill to provide reservation to Jats and four other castes will be introduced in the budget session of Haryana assembly beginning March 14, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Saturday.

He, however, said, "there will be no tinkering with the 27 per cent reservation for OBCs already given. But within the ambit of the Constitution, separately whatever reservation provision is possible will be made in this Bill, and it will be given for Jats, Jat Sikhs, Tyagis, Bishnois and Rors."

He said that going by the promise made, "We are going to bring a Bill in the coming session of the assembly starting March 14." "Through this Bill, the reservation which we have to give, we will do it, there are no two thoughts on that," he asserted in a statement.

Khattar said that a five-member committee had already been constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to prepare draft of the Bill to grant reservation. He also said that an all-party committee was also being constituted to give suggestions for drafting the Bill.

Khattar urged the chiefs of all registered political parties to send the names of their representatives to the government for the committee. "And if there is consensus and the all-party committee is able to draft the new Bill unanimously, it would be passed in the Vidhan Sabha without any discussion," he said. People associated with the agitation and others could also submit their suggestions in this regard to the committees.

The CM also appealed to the people to maintain peace and not be swayed by rumours. Noting that a "gulf of mistrust" had been created due to the unfortunate happenings in the state, Khattar appealed to people to maintain harmony.

He also urged the people to desist from making "irresponsible statements" that disturb peace and amity. Haryana had been on the boil for nearly a fortnight in February as protesters agitating for reservation to the Jat community in government jobs went on rampage and blocked road and rail routes at several places. Thirty people were killed in the agitation, which also saw large scale damage to property.