Chandigarh

Amid looming threat of a renewed stir by Jats, Haryana government today said a bill to give reservation to the community will be passed during the ongoing Budget session which ends on March 31.

Finance Minister Abhimanya said it is taking time to draft the bill as the government wants to make it sure that the new law does not get entangled in a legal quagmire.

“We are sure that during this session, this Bill will be passed,” he told reporters here.

“The Bill (to give reservation to Jats) is being drafted and we are making efforts to bring and pass such a Bill in the assembly which is in the interest of Haryana people and it does not get entangled in legal quagmire… This is why it is taking time (for introducing Bill in assembly),” he said.

He said Jat organisations should give their suggestions to draft this for their benefit instead of giving any ultimatum on resuming agitation.

“Instead of giving ultimatum, Jat leaders should give their suggestions for drafting a Bill which will be in the interest of Haryana people. It (ultimatum) will not help the state,” Abhimanyu said.

He said that Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar had assured the Jat leaders that the government will bring and pass the reservation Bill in the ongoing session.

Previous Congress led Haryana government had also brought Bill for giving reservation to Jats and four other castes which was stayed by Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The state government, which had faced wrath for its failure in preventing large-scale violence during last Jat agitation that left 30 people dead, also made it clear that nobody will be allowed to take law into one’s hands.

He said directions have been issued at the district levels not to allow anybody to take law in hands.

PTI