Minutes before election code of conduct came into place, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announced reservation in development schemes for 17 most backward caste people besides unveiled Rs 2,000 crore poultry and dairy project saying these schemes will give employment to the poor and needy at the village level.
“The Samajwadi Party has been fighting a battle to bring MBCs in the main stream of social development. The previous Mulayam Singh Yadav Government had written letters to the Union Government to give SC status to 17 MBCs but nothing was done. The previous Mayawati Government withdrew that application. My Government has also sent a letter but we are yet to get a positive response,” Yadav said while inaugurating Poultry/Fishry and Diary projects here on Wednesday.
He said as Union Government had delayed the whole process the Samajwadi party has decided to give 7.5 per cent reservation in development schemes to the MBCs. The caste which will get this benefit include Nishad, Malhar, Bhar, Batham, Turha, Kashyap, Kewat. Kumhar, Rajbhar, Prajapati, Deevar, Dheemar, Bind, Majhi, Gaund and Machchua. This decision will have a political repercussion as Samajwadi Party had launched a campaign to include 17 MBCs in the SC list.