Rajasthan govt to send Chopra panel report to Centre

The Rajasthan government on Tuesday decided to send the Justice Jasraj Chopra Committee report on the Gujjar communitys demand for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Centre.

Jaipur, Dec 18 : The Rajasthan government on Tuesday decided to send the Justice Jasraj Chopra Committee report on the Gujjar community's demand for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Centre.

The decision was taken at the State Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

A high-powered committee led by National BJP Treasurer and Rajya Sabha MP Ramdas Agrawal has also been set up to prepare a special package for the Gujjar community based on the panel's report.

Justice (retired) Chopra, on Monday, submitted the report to Raje at her office.

According to some media reports, the Chopra committee report has admitted that the Gujjars are backward but stops just short of recommending ST status for them.

The submission of the report was marred by the resignation of Rajasthan Food and Civil Supplies Minister Kirorilal Meena, who is opposed to giving the Gujjars Scheduled Tribes status.

The State Government constituted the Committee on June 13 after reaching an understanding with representatives of the Gujjar Reservation Action Committee.

That agreement was preceded by a week-long agitation throughout the state that left 25 people dead and scores of others injured.

The Committee was initially formed for a term of three months, but later the State Government extended the term by another three months.

ANI