SP promises Muslims quota,kids computers

The state already has 21% reservation for SCs,2% for Scheduled Tribes and 27% for OBCs.

Hoping to please Muslims and shrug off its anti-computer image,the Samajwadi Party today promised reservation for Muslims in proportion to their population,as well as tablets and computers to students if voted to power in Uttar Pradesh. The party manifesto released by Mulayam Singh Yadav,however,was silent on the details.

The state already has 21 per cent reservation for Scheduled Castes,2 per cent for Scheduled Tribes and 27 per cent for OBCs. With the Supreme Court cap of 50 per cent on reservation,it is not clear how the party will provide reservation to 18 per cent Muslims in UP in proportion to their population.

As per the manifesto,students clearing Class X will get tablets; those passing Class XII laptops. However,it does not say whether these will be freebies. In case of freebies,the subsidy would roughly be Rs 2,500 crore every year.

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In other promises to Muslims,the manifesto says innocent youths held in criminal cases would be released and paid compensation while officials would be punished; efforts will be made to recruit them in security forces; while at least one Muslim would be appointed to government panels.

On land acquistion,investors will have to directly negotiate with farmers. However,the government can provide barren land or hand over site of closed manufacturing units.

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