Jaipur, Sep 22 (PTI) Independent MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati on Tuesday announced that a statewide campaign will be launched from September 25 seeking changes in the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) reservation system, including a review of property criteria and relaxation in the age limit for candidates.
He said that a uniform property criterion for EWS eligibility across the country does not take into account the different conditions in states.
“Land cannot be judged merely by its size. Agricultural productivity, irrigation facilities, local land value and its actual economic utility should also be taken into account while deciding EWS eligibility,” Bhati said at a press conference here.
Bhati, the MLA from Sheo, said that Rajasthan and some other states have made changes in EWS-related provisions keeping local conditions in mind and demanded that EWS certificates issued by states should also be valid for Central government jobs and admission to Central educational institutions.
“A candidate should not have to obtain separate EWS certificates for the Centre and the state. A certificate issued by a state should be recognised for Central services and educational institutions as well,” he said.
Bhati said that EWS candidates should get relaxation in the upper age limit and application fees in competitive examinations on the lines of other reserved categories.
He also demanded that the validity of an EWS certificate be increased from the current one year to three or five years, and a simpler system be introduced for its renewal.
“The process should be simple enough that eligible candidates do not have to repeatedly go through the same documentation every year,” he said.
Bhati also sought changes in the method of calculating family income for EWS eligibility, saying that the existing system creates difficulties in several cases, particularly for married women.
He said clear rules should be framed with parents’ income as the main basis for determining eligibility.
The MLA also demanded scholarships, hostel facilities and other educational assistance for EWS students and said the Centre should consider setting up a national commission to deal with issues concerning economically weaker sections.
Bhati said he will begin a statewide tour on September 25 to take the issue to people and public representatives across Rajasthan.
“The purpose of EWS reservation is to provide opportunities to economically weaker families. Its eligibility and certification rules should take into account the actual social, agricultural and economic conditions of different states,” he said. PTI SDA RUK
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(PTI News)
