Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Mar 26: Union Minister for Steel, Barinder Singh today criticized the previous UPA Government at Centre by taking a decision on granting reservation to Jats in a haste before the elections.
Talking to reporters at the sidelines of a function held in connection with celebration of 136th birth anniversary of Sir Chottu Ram at Vijaypur today, he said with this decision the reservations to Jats was given in nine states but the decision was against the report of Backward Classes and hence it was challenged by Supreme Court.
He said now the Government has taken a decision to constitute National Commission of Backwards and give a constitutional status to it and on that basis the castes will be given the reservations but for the same a Constitutional amendment is needed.
He said Commission will be constituted on scientific basis and for that survey is being conducted.
He said in North India I think Gujjars, Yadavs, and Sainis are agriculturists and jats are not more prosperous than them and hence they be given the reservations.
He said to resolve the issue the Haryana Government framed a nine member Committee and I am hopeful that their problem will be settled.
Earlier paying tributes to Sir Chottu Ram the Union Minister said he struggled for poor and down-trodden by rising above caste, creed and religion. His contribution for farmers is known to entire world, he added. He said the Bhakra Nangal Project the life line of agriculture farming of Punjab is due to him who never talked about any specific caste rather entire humanity and had a special affinity and love for poor.
The Union Minister said Sir Chottu Ram was instrumental in enacting pro-farmers act in respect of return of mortgaged land to tillers, benami land transfer act etc.
Former MLA and president Jat Sabha Ch Piara Singh in his address also paid tributes to Sir Chottu Ram and lauded the efforts of the Trust for construction of the Bhawan on his name.
The function was organized by Sir Chottu Ram Charitable Trust on the occasion of 136 th birth anniversary of this visionary leader. H P Singh Parihar president Sangjukat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti presided over the function and proceedings were conducted by Shamsher Singh and Yashvir Malik.
Ch Kamal Singh president Jat Kalyan Sabha and convener of the function made the welcome address.
A resolution was passed on the occasion and it was demanded that implementation of Rs 2000 crore package for refugees be simplified , the youth martyred in Haryana Jat Andolan be give Rs 50 lakh compensation, people killed in border firing be declared as martyr, special concession for border habitants and opening of Central schools and hospitals in border areas.
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