10 Per Cent Quota In Gujarat Only For Those Who Settled In The State Before 1979, Says Government

The Government of Gujarat has announced that the 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker sections (EWS) in the general category would not benefit those who settled in Gujarat after 1978. The state government’s move aims to uplift and give preference to native Gujaratis in jobs, education and protection of their interests, as reported by The New Indian Express.

The opposition criticised the move and Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi took a jibe at the incumbent government saying, “There was no need to change the original quota law passed by the Centre. Perhaps, this is a tactic by the state government to deprive the beneficiaries. Since the domicile rule is already in place, there was no need to introduce this new rule, which asks for over 40 years of residency.”

The announcement was also criticised by the people from other states who have made Gujarat their home saying that 41 years is a long time. Mahesh Singh Kushwaha, the President of the Uttar Bharatiya Vikas Parishad said that this move is blatant injustice to the people who came and settled in Gujarat 20 or 30 years ago. He also suggested that the criterion should be fixed at 10 years.

Gujarat became the first Indian state to adopt the implementation of the 10 per cent EWS quota from January 14 soon after it became a law.