The Congress party is set to advocate for a relaxation of eligibility criteria for reservations in the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), mirroring the actions taken by the Ashok Gehlot-led government in Rajasthan. With an eye on garnering support from unreserved communities ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Congress has made it a focal point of its campaign.
Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, former Rajasthan minister and Lok Sabha candidate for the Jaipur constituency, has vocally called for the Central government to ease the eligibility conditions for EWS reservations, drawing attention to the measures implemented in Rajasthan. He emphasized the need for equal opportunities for economically disadvantaged individuals within the unreserved category, applauding the Gehlot government's initiative to remove income, land, and age restrictions for EWS applicants.
Simultaneously, youth from various Rajasthan universities have mobilized, urging for relaxation in the EWS category. Shakti Singh Bandikui, an advocate for this cause, highlighted the unified demand across universities for political parties to commit to EWS relaxation, akin to Rajasthan's model.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Digvijay Singh had previously raised this issue in Parliament, citing concerning statistics during discussions with India Today TV. He underscored disparities in EWS representation compared to other categories, urging for parity in reservation conditions.
The existing EWS clause imposes restrictions based on land ownership, residence size, and annual income, which many activists deem unfair, particularly in agricultural contexts where income can fluctuate due to various factors.
By advocating for EWS reservation relaxation, Congress aims to secure substantial support from unreserved farming communities in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Communities such as Rajputs, Bhumihars, Tyagis, Marathas, Vellalars, and Jats have long advocated for changes in EWS criteria related to land and income limits.
