The Odisha Pachhua Barga Bikash Manch has demanded that the State Government provide 27-per cent reservation to the people belonging to the Other Backward Class (OBC) Category in both Government job and admission in higher educational institutions.
“The Union Government and many States have already implemented 27 per cent reservation recommended by the Mandal Commission. But our State Government is yet to implement the quota as a result of which OBC category students have been deprived of getting higher education and the income gap is creasing by the day,” said Manch president Dhuleswar Mania.
He said the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu Governments had in 1969 provided reservation to the Socially and Economically Backward Class people in order to maintain socioeconomic balance in the society. The Union Government has been providing 27 per cent seats for the OBC candidates since 2005. The Supreme Court has also given order to implement the reservation.
“Education and monetary condition are two factors that improve socioeconomic imbalances in the society. Hence, the Odisha Government should provide 27-per cent reservation facilities for OBC people soon,” said Mania.