Botad MLA Umesh Makwana has written to the Chief Minister of Gujarat, pressing for structural reforms in public contracts and employment. He has called for mandatory reservations for SC, ST, and OBC communities not only in government recruitment but also in the allocation of government contracts and jobs within private companies operating in the state.
In his representation, Makwana referred to the recent collapse of the Gambhira bridge&mdash;a structure that had undergone repairs only a year ago at a cost of Rs 1.18 crore.&nbsp;
&ldquo;In the last five years, bridge failures across Gujarat have led to several accidents and the loss of lives,&rdquo; he told reporters, suggesting that systemic exclusion in awarding contracts may be contributing to poor infrastructure outcomes. He alleged that these contracts are consistently given to firms linked to a single dominant community, sidelining others.
Makwana claimed this pattern is widespread. &ldquo;Not only in Botad but across Gujarat, government projects and public employment are routinely handed over to members of one particular group,&rdquo; he stated.&nbsp;
He emphasised that such unequal access needs to be addressed urgently through enforceable reservation provisions in all government tenders and departmental hiring processes.
He also raised concerns about the Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC)&rsquo;s current recruitment format. &ldquo;The oral interview system for Class-1 and Class-3 posts must be scrapped. Selections should be strictly on the basis of merit,&rdquo; Makwana said.
He further criticised the implementation of existing reservation quotas for OBC candidates. &ldquo;Though the OBC category is entitled to 27% reservation in government jobs, many recruitment drives do not honour this mandate,&rdquo; he noted, demanding that all such hirings must align with the prescribed quota.
Referring to the state&rsquo;s demographic structure, Makwana pointed out that OBC communities make up 51% of Gujarat&rsquo;s population. On that basis, he proposed an increase in OBC reservation from 27% to 40% in both public sector employment and contract assignments. &ldquo;Just as jobs are reserved in the public sector, the same should apply to contracts and private firms that benefit from government schemes,&rdquo; he urged.
Makwana&rsquo;s appeal also included administrative recommendations, notably the urgent appointment of chairpersons for the Koli and Thakor community corporations.&nbsp;
He proposed that over Rs 1,400 crore in grants be allocated to these bodies to ensure meaningful support for their respective populations.
The MLA&rsquo;s intervention comes at a politically sensitive time. Recently, he resigned from his organisational and whip roles within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), citing dissatisfaction with the party&rsquo;s approach towards backward communities.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Marginalised leaders are used only for electoral gains. Across parties, caste-based discrimination is on the rise,&rdquo; Makwana said.
He also accused the BJP of infiltrating both Congress and AAP with its agents to divert attention from critical issues. &ldquo;Instead of focusing on policies that benefit the people, opposition MLAs are performing political theatrics,&rdquo; he remarked.&nbsp;
He maintained that genuine issues such as fair contract distribution and reservation enforcement should be the focus, not symbolic resignations.
Despite being suspended from AAP, Makwana stated he will continue to serve the public and raise the voice of the backward classes.
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(Left) Botad MLA Umesh Makwana and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel (Right)

Botad MLA urges Gujarat CM to ensure fair representation for SC, ST, and OBCs in jobs and tenders.

MLA Slams Bias in Gujarat Govt Contracts

Botad MLA urges Gujarat CM to ensure fair representation for SC, ST, and OBCs in jobs and tenders.

July 15, 2025 | 01:24 IST