Polls over, Maya junks backward plank

The Mayawati government today decided to junk former Chief Minister Rajnath Singh8217;s reservation policy and revert to the old Uttar Pradesh Public Service SCST and OBC Reservation Act of 1994.

Singh, had amended the 1994 Act by the UP Public Service SCST and OBC reservation Amendment Ordinance issued on September 15 last, to implement the report of the Social Justice Committee appointed by him providing for separate reservation for Most Backward Dalits and Most Backward OBCs.

Following the Supreme Court8217;s orders on December 14 of last year and January 21 this year to stay the appointment of members of the SCST and Backward Classes the recommendations of the SJC had become infructous.

The SC stay had come after a petition challenging the new formula was filed by former tourism minister Ashok Yadav, who was later removed from the Rajnath Singh Cabinet. But the Mayawati government8217;s decision has come as a surprise because it had supported Rajnath8217;s move.

Mayawati had then criticised Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav for opposing Rajnath Singh8217;s reservation formula and even expelled two party MLAs when they dared to go against the party8217;s stand on the issue.

Briefing mediapersons after the meeting in which the decision was taken, state Chief Secretary D.S. Bagga said that it was necessary to lift the ban on appointments and promotions.

The SC stay had come in the way of filling about 28,700 vacancies in the state and admission of students in colleges, Bagga said.

The SJC8217;s report, accepted in toto by the Rajnath Singh government, had increased reservation for OBCs from 27 to 28 per cent.

The SJC, constituted on June 28 last year, by Rajnath Singh in an attempt to woo Ati Dalits and Ati Pichhara in the run-up to the Assembly polls, had presented its report on August 31.