4% quota for Divyangs in local bodies under govt review: Min

Jaipur: Social justice and empowerment minister Avinash Gehlot Wednesday assured that the demand for 4% reservation for persons with disabilities in Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local body elections is under the govt’s consideration and that an appropriate decision will be taken at the appropriate time, as the issue involves policy matters.

Disability Rights Federation, Rajasthan, chairman Hemant Bhai Goyal urged the minister to actively recommend the proposal to chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, noting that several senior BJP leaders and public representatives already backed the demand through written representations.

He said that as the minister responsible for social justice and empowerment, Gehlot should make his position on the issue clear and recommend to the CM that the reservation be granted to ensure greater political participation of persons with disabilities.

The assurance came in response to representations seeking political reservations for persons with disabilities in panchayat and urban local bodies. Meanwhile, Disability Rights Federation, Rajasthan, chairman Hemant Bhai Goyal urged the minister to take a proactive role in advancing the proposal. Goyal said several senior BJP functionaries and public representatives already wrote to the CM recommending 4% reservation for persons with disabilities in Panchayati Raj and municipal body elections.

Those who supported the demand include former BJP state president Satish Poonia, former Social Justice and Empowerment minister Arun Chaturvedi, former Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore, Jaipur MP Manju Sharma, Rajya Sabha member Chunnilal Garasia, and BJP MLAs Gopal Sharma, Balmukund Acharya, Phool Singh Meena and Mahendra Pal Meena.

Goyal further pointed out that during his tenure as Social Justice and Empowerment minister, Chaturvedi initiated an official note sheet on the matter. He also claimed that the department concerned at the Centre earlier expressed agreement with the proposal.