Gujarat CM may accept 3 of 4 demands of Patidars

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel on Monday said the state government is seriously considering the demands of the agitating Patidars after he had briefed the Chief Minister Nitin Patel on the meeting held between the state government representatives and the PAAS convenors last week.

Patel while talking to media said that the chief minister is positively inclined to consider three out of four demands made by the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti(PAAS) including withdrawal of cases against the youth, probe into the cases of alleged police atrocities and formation of Patidar Ayog.

Patel, however, added that the state government had asked the PAAS delegates to submit notification, order details of any state that has allowed reservation beyond 49% limit, during the last meeting.

Adding that the PAAS is yet to provide the details, Patel said that in the case that PAAS takes up the matter with OBC commission, the state government will ask the commission to expedite the survey and other processes.

Patel further pointed out that post-1994 verdict of the Supreme Court which caps the reservation at 49%, it is only the OBC commission that can now make recommendation for including the community in the OBC list.

However, PAAS convener Lalit Vasoya told ET that Patel’s responses show that the government is merely buying time and is not serious for any resolution.