NEW DELHI (TIP):
The Union Cabinet cleared the ordinance for Jat reservation in government jobs. The anti-graft ordinances, which were pushed by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, were not passed after President Pranab Mukherjee reportedly expressed reluctance to support government’s ordinance route. Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, the government decided to include the Jat community in the central list of OBCs in nine states, a move that is expected to benefit about nine crore people from the community. The decision would pave the way for the community members to avail benefits of reservation in central government jobs and central education institutions as per the existing norms.

The Central list of OBCs for the states of Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarrakhand, Uttar Pradesh and the National capital territory of Delhi will include the Jat community. On the other hand, after President Pranab Mukherjee’s reluctance over the seven anti-graft bills, the government decided not to bring ordinances. Earlier, Senior Congress leaders had met the President just before the crucial meeting. On the Telangana front, the Cabinet decided to direct Planning Commission to implement grant of special category status to Seemandhra for 5 years. The Cabinet also decided to make amendments in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill to facilitate smooth and full resettlement and rehabilitation as part of Polavaram project. Polvarum project will be executed by Central Government.

Both the submerged area and the area where the people will be relocated, will be transferred to Seemandhra. The Union Cabinet also tried to address the concerns regarding electricity supply in the states. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh informed that the power from central generating stations will be allocated on the basis of consumption of last 5 years. He said the Telangana Bill says that only 15 per cent of unallocated power will be allocated on the basis of power consumption trends.

The rest will be allocated on the basis of population. The Cabinet also approved transfer of 123 properties in Delhi under DDA and Land and Development Department to Wakf Board. Defending the ordinance recourse to pass the pending bills, information and broadcasting minister Manish Tiwari blamed the Opposition for disrupting Parliament. “We believe probity is public life. UPA endeavoured during various sessions bills are passed but disruptions by opposition did not allow them to be deliberated in Parliament or enacted as laws. There was a marked difference between what Opposition said and did on the issue,” he said.