Guj cabinet approves setting up of 2 panels

The Gujarat government on Wednesday gave its nod for the formation of a non-reserved category communities commission and a probe commission to investigate police atrocity against Patel community members during the reservation rally.

On Tuesday, Deputy CM Nitin Patel announced that leaders of the Patel community and its quota agitation agreed to the formation of the commissions.

After the cabinet meeting in Gandhinagar, the deputy CM said, "The commission for non-reserved communities will help students and upper caste youths get financial assistance for various purposes. The commission will have its own corpus from which loans at lower interests will be given to beneficiaries for the purpose of education, setting up or development of business, further studies abroad, etc."

"The government will consult the Gujarat High Court to make recommendations for forming the commission to probe police atrocities against quota agitators. The high court will select the judge who will lead the commission. Those who have any complaint against police action can approach the commission and lodge complaints," added Patel.

The government has also decided to withdraw criminal cases against quota agitators. The minister of state for home and legal affairs, Pradipsinh Jadeja said, "The state government can withdraw serious criminal cases against PAAS members. We will work around political will and seek legal advice and expedite the procedure for the same."