The Supreme Court has paused the provision of quota to Gujjars in Rajasthan at the moment, as it feels that reservation in jobs and education in the state has exceeded the 50 per cent cap and it cannot be stretched further.

The Supreme Court has paused the provision of quota to Gujjars in Rajasthan at the moment, as it feels that reservation in jobs and education in the state has exceeded the 50 per cent cap and it cannot be stretched further. Quota for Gujjars cannot be implemented till High Court makes a decision, the top court has said.

As per and NDTV report, in August, five per cent quota was promised to Gujjars by the state government after yet another bout of agitation. It had planned to expand the reservation for OBC from the present 21 per cent to 26 per cent and give 5 per cent reservation to Gujjars and other castes.

Reservation cap

Currently, the total reservation in the state stands at 49 per cent. After the expansion, it would have crossed the 50 per cent legal ceiling. The order of the top court — passed on November 13 and made available today — said the High Court order staying the legislative process was “totally uncalled for and, therefore, that part of the impugned order is stayed”.

The court, however, added: “Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and various decisions of this Court, we are inclined to restrain the State Government from taking any action or decision on the administrative side or in any manner conferring the benefit of reservation, which will have the result of crossing the total reservation beyond 50 per cent.”