The Social Justice Front on the occasion of Social Justice Day on Wednesday submitted memorandums to Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik demanding implementation of 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in admission and employment in Odisha and formation of OBC Commission in the State.
Front convenor Rabi Behera stated that the Central Government has implemented 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in Central Government jobs on August 7, 1990 by implementing the Mandal Commission Report. Subsequently, 27 per cent reservation was given to OBC students in admission into Central Universities and IITs, IIMS, AIIMS and PGI.
But unfortunately the 27 per cent reservation for State Government jobs which was implemented by Government from 1994 only continued till April 17, 2007.
After that, the reservation was reduced to 11.25 per cent and as on date no reservation is given to OBC students in admission into State-run colleges and universities, he added.
He also mentioned that the Central Government has submitted before the Supreme Court that 50 per cent cap imposed by the court is not binding and fallacious while arguing for the implementation EWS quota in the court of SA Bobde, R Subash Reddy and BR Gavai by Attorney General KK Venugopal.
The front also demanded that the OBC Finance Corporation be made functional to provide loans to unemployed OBC youths for self-employment and constructing OBC hostels in colleges and universities for OBC students.