Jats up the ante, set Feb 17 deadline for notification

ROHTAK: A section of Haryana's khap panchayats have regrouped over the demand for reservation to Jats in state and central government jobs and educational institutes and has served an ultimatum to issue the notification in this regard by February 17.
At a meeting held at Meham town of Rothak district on Sunday, the khap leaders alleged that the political class was trying to fizzle out the agitation, which could prove counterproductive to these politicians.
Sube Singh Samain, spokesperson of the khap panchayat, stated that Hooda government had promised to issue the notification for special 10% OBC quota for Jats and four other castes on the basis of the recommendations of the Haryana Backward Classes Commission, but it is pending for the last many days.
"The government seems to be dithering on its promise. We have called a meeting of khap panchayats on February 17 to discuss the issue. If the government fails to keep its promise, we would take a strict decision against the government", he stated, while addressing the khap representatives.
The khap panchayats had agreed to withdraw the agitation a day after starting Delhi march on December 16 following an assurance from Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Soon after the government-appointed committee submitted its recommendations asking for special category status to five castes, including Jats, with 10% quota, the Haryana government had accepted the recommendations in principle.
"If the government is serious, it should pass the quota bill for Jats in the Vidhan Sabha and then in Parliament, as was done in Tamil Nadu, where the quota had exceeded the limit of 50%, as fixed in the Indian Constitution", he said.
Meanwhile, another faction of khap panchayats, based in old Rothak region, had decided to stay away from the quota stir and gave the reins of agitation to All India Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti headed by Hawa Singh Sangwan.