OBC status for Jats of UP?

In an attempt to woo the Jat community in Uttar Pradesh, Congress has advocated their inclusion as Other Backward Castes (OBC) in the Central list.The Jats have already been included in the state list of UP as OBC but in the Central list, the community has not been included for getting the benefits of reservation.

If the community gets a place in the Central list as OBC, they will be eligible for reservation in Central services and Central educational institutions.

On the issue, AICC general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh Digvijay Singh said, "Congress' viewpoint is that Jats should be included in the Central list of OBCs and get reservation in Central government jobs and educational institutions."

He said that since the provision of creamy layer already exists, only the poor and weaker sections of the community would get the benefits of this facility.

A delegation of Congress leaders from Uttar Pradesh led by Singh also met Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Mukul Wasnik over the issue.