Bhopal: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the state government is in favour of reservation in promotions. A cabinet sub-committee will be constituted to change rules in this regard. He reiterated that no one can abolish reservations. Addressing Arakshan Bachao Rally of AJAKS at TT Nagar Dussehra Maidan, CM Chouhan said that the state government will effectively pursue case in the Supreme Court for maintaining status quo on reservation of SCs and STs in promotions. He assured that situation of demotion of these classes will not be allowed to occur. In this regard, a cabinet sub-committee headed by Forest Minister Gaurishankar Shejwar will be constituted to change rules. The committee will comprise Minister of State for GAD Lal Singh Arya and other members.
The Chief Minister said that SC, ST backlog posts will be filled on a war-footing and would be reviewed quarterly. He announced that the state government will bear fees of SC and ST students from class I to post-graduation. The state government will also bear expenses of these classes students who avail admission in foreign universities. They would also be given stipends. Laptops will be given to students of these classes securing 75 percent marks in class XII.
The Chief Minister said that of these classes, reservation rules will be applied in all posts including contractual ones. He informed that 2.16 lakh tribals have been given forest land rights pattas in the state. Work will continue to give pattas to remaining tribals. Besides, people of these classes occupying residential land will be given pattas of those lands. The state government will continue public welfare programme at every cost. Besides, all necessary measures have been taken for education and employment of people of these classes.
At the outset, former IAS officer Amar Singh threw light on importance of reservation in promotions. AJAKS State President JN Kansotiya presented a memorandum to the Chief Minister. Forest Minister Gaurishankar Shejwar, Scheduled Castes Welfare Minister Gyan Singh, Labour Minister Antar Singh Arya, Minister of State for GAD Lal Singh Arya, MPs, MLAs, other public representatives and large number officers and employees drawn from various places in the state were present on the occasion.