Uttar Pradesh set to do away with minorities quota in schemes

Lucknow, May 22 (IANS): In a move likely to trigger a political storm, the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh is all set to end the 20 per cent quota for minorities in social welfare schemes.

The quota was fixed by the earlier Samajwadi Party government.

Informed sources here on Monday said Social Welfare Minister Ramapati Shastri had approved the proposal and that it was only a matter of time, and technicalities, before the same is placed before the Cabinet for approval.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has always maintained it is not against any faith or religion but is against the politics of appeasement.

“There is no rationale of quota in schemes on the basis of religion; we are in favour of doing away with it. Development should be guided by the principle of benefit for all,” the Minister said while confirming the move to do away with the quota.

Minorities, mainly Muslims, in the state get 20 per cent quota in schemes of departments like sugar development, micro irrigation, horticulture, agriculture, animal husbandry, rural development, basic education, panchayati raj, medical and health, public works, tourism, higher education and youth welfare, among others.