Talks between Gujjars, govt end on positive note

Agitating Gujjars and the Rajasthan government on Tuesday made positive noises after the latest round of talks but consensus eluded the two sides on the main demand for five per cent quota in state jobs for the community. Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla led his team for the fifth round of parleys as the stir entered the 16th day.

"The meeting was quite positive and ended on a positive note. I am going to meet my delegation and will finalise the matter," Bainsla told mediapesrons after the meeting at Rajashthan Energy Minister Jitender Singh's official residence in Jaipur.

"We will speak to the government again on Wednesday," he added.

Singh said that the ice is melting now and both the sides were able to reach consensus on nine out of 11 demands. "The remaining two issues -- five per cent quota and withdrawal of cases against all the agitators registered during the stir will be discussed on Wednesday formally," he said.

"I hope that a general opinion would be formed on these remaining issues too," the minister said.

Besides Singh, G S Sandhu, principal secretary, Urban Development and Pali collector Neeraj K Pawan took part in the talks from the government side while Bainsla led the 16-member Gujjar delegation.

The agitators have been blocking the Mumbai-Delhi rail tracks at Pilukapura in Bharatpur, and Jaipur-Agra National Highway at Dausa and several other roads in support of their demand.