Mumbai, May 28: Encouraged by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's assurance of setting up of a commission to study viability of reservations for economically backward classes, the BJP in Maharashtra today made a strong demand for job quotas on economic criteria for people belonging to upper classes in the state. "At least 10 per cent seats must be reserved for economically backward classes in jobs. The DF government must immediately implement the reservation policy", BJP spokesman Prakash Jawdekar told reporters here.

Poverty is widespread in the socially progressive class and reservation for economically backward classes would give justice to youths belonging to this section of the society, Jawdekar said.

The BJP spokesman alleged that atrocities against Dalits had increased during Congress-NCP rule in the state. Reeling out incidents of 'injustice' meted out to Dalits in various parts of the state, Jawdekar alleged that the ruling democratic front members were the "perpetrators in these instances".

The government has failed to take any action against the culprits, he added.

Bureau Report