'Cong to provide reservations to economically weaker sections'

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh today said that if his party came to power in the state, it will provide "reservations to the economically weaker sections from the general category" without disturbing the existing caste-based reservation system.
Interacting with students who had come from across the state with suggestions for the party manifesto here, he said, "The government will make a provision so that the deserving people from the general category are not left out from the competition for the economic reasons.
"The provision for the reservation for this section will be made from the general category quota only," he said.

The Pradesh Congress Committee president made it clear that Congress will continue with the reservation policy as it exists in the Constitution.
He said that no state government can change it as it was under the jurisdiction of Parliament.
"There is no idea of scrapping the existing system and those spreading such rumours are only trying to create confusion and misunderstandings," he said.

Replying to a question on possibility of an understanding with the fourth front, Amarinder said the party will study the proposal from its leaders who had stated yesterday that they were open to supporting Congress also.
He, however, clarified that there was no contact between Congress and any of the fourth front leaders and he had learnt about their announcement from the newspapers only.

Replying to a question about the Akali-BJP government providing "special concessions" to the private transporters at the cost of the state-owned Punjab Roadways and PSRTC, he said it was a clear case of "abuse of power" for personal business interests by the ruling family.
"Which private transport company is left in Punjab other than the Badals," he asked, adding that the decision was aimed at "helping" Badals to "mint more money" as if they had left anything for anyone else.
"It is a clear case of the conflict of interest," he said while announcing that Congress, after coming to power, will undo all such decisions.