By IANS
Jaipur : The Rajasthan government has decided to give an extension of three months to the high-powered Justice Jasraj Chopra committee that is looking into the Gujjar community’s demand for the scheduled tribe status.
“As demanded by the committee, the state government has given it three months extension,” an official told IANS here Wednesday.
The Vasundhra Raje government’s decision came on the stipulated date when the committee was to submit its report.
The committee in a letter to the state government on Aug 30 had sought extension up to Dec 15.
Set up by the state government on June 12, the panel was to submit its report in three months, that is, on Sep 12.
It, however, said it had not been able to complete the task and wanted more time,
The Gujjars, meanwhile, are busy devising their future strategy, which they are expected to announce at a massive rally to be held in Dholpur, over 290 km from here, on Thursday.
Gujjar leaders had threatened large-scale protests if any extension was given to the committee.
“We are presently discussing this issue and we expect to announce the launch of our protests from the Dholpur rally,” said Roop Singh, spokesperson of the Gujjar Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti.
Gujjars, classified among the other backward classes (OBC), held protests all over Rajasthan from May 29 to June 4 demanding their inclusion into the scheduled tribes category that would give them better employment and educational opportunities.
Normal life was paralysed and 26 people were killed in the violence during the agitation.