In Uttarakhand, BJP govt approves 10% job quota for ‘Rajya Andolankaris’

The BJP claims credit to a large extent because Parliament passed the Bill for the formation of Uttarakhand during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In 2021, the BJP government increased pension for those who were jailed or injured during the movement.

The job quota Bill was also sent to Raj Bhavan for approval earlier but it was returned after some objections were raised. While a vertical reservation applies to each group specified under law, horizontal quota is applied separately to each category and not across the board. So, once a new law comes into force, 10 per cent of the selected candidates in each vertical quota category — including Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes — will be dependents of the Rajya Andolankaris.

Applauding the government’s decision, the state BJP said the move comes at a time when the Assembly Session is going on in Gairsain town, which the protesters wanted as the state capital.

During the Cabinet meeting on Monday, a decision was also taken to increase MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) fund from Rs 3.75 crore to Rs 5 crore per year. The government also decided to increase annual funds for the beautification of temples from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

The Uttarakhand Assembly session began in Gairsain with Governor Lt General Gurmit Singh’s address amid a protest by Congress leaders. Led by state unit chief Karan Mahara, leaders of the Opposition party gheraoed the Vidhan Bhavan to protest against the BJP’s “negligence” in Joshimath land subsidence, an alleged recruitment scam, and unemployment, among other issues.

Accusing the Congress of hindering the Governor’s address, BJP spokesperson Suresh Joshi said the party “is creating anarchy in the states where they are not in power”. In view of the Budget Session, large gatherings have been banned near the Uttarakhand Assembly amid huge police deployment.