Justice Jasraj Chopra Committee, constituted by the Vasundhara Raje led BJP government to study the case of Gujjar Community for its inclusion in the Schedule Tribe has concluded that under the present criterion laid down by the Centre, the community could not be given the status of ST. However, the state government on its own has shown a keenness and has come out with a special package for the upliftment of this backward community in the state
This shows the commitment of the BJP, which had promised the Gujjar Community during the assembly elections that it would take every step for its welfare if it comes into power. The party did committed that it would take up the cause with the Centre for the inclusion of the Gujjar Community, which is presently in OBC, in the ST.
About three years back, Gujjar Mahapanchayat held a big rally in the state capital to remind the BJP government of its promise . The BJP leaders, Ramgopal Guard and Nathu Singh, who belong to the Gujjar community, were in forefront in leading the long standing demand of the community. The Bhairon Singh Shekhawat-led BJP government had included the Gujjar community in the Other Backward Class(OBC).
At that time, many Gujjar leaders too pressed the government to recommend the case of the community for its inclusion in ST as it enjoys this same status in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Shri Shekhawat told them that the process to get this status is complicated and time consuming one. They were advised to have patience
Soon after the Gujjar Mahapachayat, Smt Raje discussed the matter with his ministerial colleagues and senior party leaders. Everyone agreed that since it was an election promise of the party the state government should initiate the steps to fulfill the promise. For this purpose a ministerial committee, headed by Home Minister, Gulab Chand Kataria was constituted. The committee was given the task to conduct an extensive survey about the social and economic condition of the community in each district of the state.
It was considered necessary because on the basis of such survey, the National Schedule Tribe Commission, final authority on the inclusion or exclusion of any community in the ST, would prepare the case of the community.
The Gujjar leaders were told on the basis of this survey, the government would recommend to the SC Commission, through the Centre for the inclusion of the community in ST. In fact, when Gujjar Sangharash Samiti(GSS) launched its agitation for the inclusion of the community in ST, the extensive survey of Gujjar population and its social economic status was completed in 28 of the 32 districts.
During the negotiations with the government, Gujjar leaders were apprised of the progress being made in carrying out the survey. They were asked to have patience and wait for the completion of the survey in remaining districts. They were also told that a mere letter, without such survey, would not serve any purpose. Since at that time tempers were running high, the GSS convener Col. Kirori Singh Bainsla, who was under pressure from the leaders of the community, declined to listen to the government. However, government came out with a proposal to hasten the process of survey and agreed to appoint a three member committee, headed by Justice Jasraj Chopra, to study the case of the community for it inclusion in ST.
The committee has suggested to the government to initiate steps for the betterment of the Gujjar Community, which has a low literacy rate and less number of its people in the government in proportion to its population.
Taking prompt action on the report, Smt Vasundhara Raje government appointed a four member committee, headed by senior party leader and national treasurer of the party Shri Ramdas Agarwal to prepare a package for the upliftment, betterment and welfare of the community. The BJP government is now intend to announce this package in the next years budget to fulfill one of its major election promises.
