Dehradun: Amid ongoing debate over the Union cabinet’s approval for 10% reservation in education and government jobs for economically weaker sections of the upper castes, Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Tuesday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "the B R Ambedkar of 21st century" for initiating the “positive move”.

On the sidelines of a public function in Dehradun, when reporters asked CM Rawat about the Union cabinet’s decision, he said, “We would like to thank the

, who is the Ambedkar of the 21st century, for taking a positive decision for the people hailing from financially weak background.”

Heaping lavish praise on PM Modi, Rawat said, “The son of a person coming from humble background has taken the decision for crores of people hailing from the economically weak background. Crores of people will benefit from the landmark decision.”

Terming the decision a “historic step” by the Union government, Rawat said it is an important step in the direction of realizing the concept of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’. He added that the decision would also benefit the economically backward people of Uttarakhand and the state’s youth will get better opportunities to get into government service.