Congress supports upper caste quota but asks Modi where are the jobs

New Delhi : While endorsing reservation for economically poor classes irrespective of caste, the Congress on Monday frowned at the intention behind the Modi government approving 10 per cent quota for the “unreserved categories” and demanded to know “where are the jobs”.

Addressing the media after the cabinet approved 10 per cent reservation for economically backward people in general category in jobs and educational institutions, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the decision reeked of “political motive” rather than the actual welfare of the masses.

“India is on verge of the worst job crisis of the century with unemployment at a high of 7.3 per cent which is the highest in last 23-24 months. The demonetisation disaster and the flawed implementation of GST resulted in crores of job losses.

“Moreover, the Modi government admitted in Parliament that 24 lakh posts in government sectors are lying vacant which the government has failed to fill up in last 4.5 years,” said Surjewala.

“While we welcome the decision to offer reservation to economically weaker classes, but the question that arises is where are the jobs. The government after destroying millions of jobs, with the next elections just 100 days away, has suddenly woken up and offering reservation without creating any jobs.

“Without creating jobs, reservation for the upper castes will turn out to be a ‘jumla’ (false promise) for the elections,” said Surjewala.

He also demanded to know the government’s road-map, if any, for creation of jobs as well as recouping the jobs lost and destroyed by the “demonetisation disaster” and “flawed GST”.

With the Modi government likely to bring Constitutional amendment bill on quotas for economically weaker sections in Parliament on Tuesday, Surjewala affirmed the Congress’ support.

“We are ideologically opposed to the BJP and they have personal animosity towards the Congress but we support steps for reserving seats in education and employment for economically weaker sections irrespective of caste,” said Surjewala. “The question that remains is where are the jobs”.

Published on: Jan 7, 2019 at 19:36 IST

IANS