Gujarat Congress to bring bill providing quota for EBCs

The Gujarat Congress today said it will introduce a bill during the budget session of Gujarat Assembly providing 20 per cent reservation for the economically backward class (EBC) among the upper castes.
State Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki said the party was collecting information about similar provisions in other states to prepare the draft bill.
The Assembly session will start from February 22.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of violent agitation of the Patel community seeking reservations under OBC quota.
"Congress is going to table a bill demanding 20 per cent reservation for those who are economically weaker and not covered under the current 49 per cent reservations," Solanki said at a press conference in Gandhinagar.

"This will be in addition to the 49 per cent quota meant for SC, ST and OBCs," he said.
The quota agitation and the Patel community's resentment about BJP government seemingly helped Congress in the panchayat polls held in November. Before the elections Congress had supported Patel community's demand for reservation.