Gujarat govt to announce special scheme for general category students

The reservation debate became hot recently when Patel community led by Hardik Patel rolled out massive support demanding reservation for them.

Amid reservation demands, Gujarat government is likely to announce a special scheme for general category students from the economically weaker section. A senior minister in the government told PTI on condition of anonymity that Chief Minister Anandiben Patel would make the announcement during a function in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

"We are giving final shape to the scheme. The announcement will be made by the CM tomorrow afternoon at a function in Swarnim Sankul-2. Leaders of different communities, social and religious bodies and several MLAs would be present," he said.

Ahead of the August 25 rally of Patels, the Health Minister and government's spokesperson Nitin Patel had hinted that government was considering some soaps for general/open category students.

Under the scheme, financial assistance would be provided to all students with economically weak background who fall in the non-reservation category, including those from the Patel community. Nitin Patel had said that the state government will bear the educational expenses such as tuition and hostel fees of such students.