Gujarat's ambitious EBC quota ordinance lapses

The Gujarat Government's much touted announcement to provide reservation for economically backward sections among higher classes has fizzled out, with the ordinance on the measure lapsing on Monday.

With the state government's appeal against the Gujarat High Court order that quashed the ordinance still pending before the Supreme Court, the government could not approach the Governor for its renewal, and allowed it to lapse.

Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, however, said: "We are committed to bring 10 per cent EBC quota benefits to those from the non-reserved category. However, as we could not convert the EBC ordinance into law, it has lapsed."

With this, the government's big attempt to placate the Patel community fighting for reservation under the OBC category has failed. The government had issued the ordinance with fanfare on May 1, which happens to be Gujarat Foundation day.

Right from then, it was ridiculed by the Patel Anamat Andolan Samiti which had called it a "lollipop", while the opposition Congress wanted 20 per cent quota, though it added that under the Constitution, not more than 50 per cent reservation could be given.

--IANS

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