Gujarat government would look into the possibility of giving reservation to Patels under the OBC quota, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said today after briefing CM Vijay Rupani about the various demands put forward by quota leaders.
Patel informed the CM about four demands placed by Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) and announced to hold second round of meeting with these leaders to resolve the issue of reservation.
"During our meeting with PAAS leaders on December 1, they claimed that some states have given more than 49 per cent reservation. We have asked them to submit names of such states along with notifications and orders issued by them. However, PAAS is yet to submit the proofs even after four days," said Patel.
"Since we also want to study the situation in other states regarding quota, we once again appeal PAAS to provide such proofs. Our cabinet colleague Pradeepsinh Jadeja is in touch with them. We will finalise the date of next meeting soon," said Patel.
Earlier on December 1, the meeting between the PAAS and a group of Gujarat ministers, including Patel and minister of state for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja, to resolve the vexed issue of reservation remained inconclusive.
The four main demands of Patel community are --- constitutionally valid reservation, creation of Patidar Development Board, proper compensation to family members of those who died during the quota agitation and punishment to government officials responsible for committing 'atrocities' on the community when the agitation turned violent.
After holding meeting with Rupani, Patel said that all these demands are under consideration.
"All these demands by PAAS are still under consideration. We have not taken any final decision on any of the demand during my meeting with CM today. Government is ready to find an amicable solution. We will look into each demand positively to resolve the entire issue of quota agitation," said Patel.
Meanwhile, in a message sent from Udaipur, where he is living in exile as part of the conditional bail granted to him by the Gujarat High Court, Hardik Patel expressed "dissatisfaction" on Deputy CM's statement, claiming that the government has not made any progress in the last one-and-half years to resolve the issue.
"Nitin bhai repeatedly said that everything is under
consideration. You have not given any specific assurance. Patel said PAAS should come up with a formula to resolve the issue. I wonder if he is capable to implement our formula on reservation" said Hardik.
"If you think you are really capable to do so, PAAS will definitely submit a formula to the government in coming days. We are also ready to hold next round of talks with government on the issue" said Hardik.
