By IANS,
Gandhinagar : A delegation of the backward classes panel Tuesday met Chief Minister Narendra Modi to seek his views on the current reservation policy and to know about the state government’s stand on including new classes in the backward class category, a statement issued here said.
The National Commission for Economically Backward Classes led by its chairman Major General (retd) S.R. Sinha called on Modi Tuesday.
“The commission is seeking views of the state governments on reservation in education and government services, and on necessary welfare measures for the backward classes,” the statement quoted Sinha as saying.
Before coming to Gujarat, the commission had visited 16 states.
Modi sought public participation for uplifting the backward classes and pointed out his government’s approach to develop infrastructure projects hand in hand with slew of welfare measures that the state government has undertaken.
“The manner of defining parameters for determining backward classes needs to be taken up on top priority basis. Over and above, the states should be allowed to define parameters of economic backwardness. When parameters are defined through consensus it may be floated for debate,” the statement issued Modi as saying.
“The way in which Gujarat is ushering in socio-economic change, it is capable of creating a new model for reservation and economic backwardness,” Sinha said.
Modi also pointed out to the indecent haste seen in some sections for being included in backward class category.
“If the welfare of the poor is of paramount necessity, than the intention has to be clear and honest. Or else, the intended results can never be achieved. A holistic approach is needed to bring the truly backwards above the poverty line,” Modi said.