The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes for 27per cent reservation of seats in education and Government jobs for Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
The memorandum said the Government of India has implemented 27per cent job reservation for OBCs from August 7, 1990 in its offices and undertakings. Odisha implemented 27per cent job reservation since 1994, but subsequently it has been reduced to 11.25per cent as the SC & ST populations of the State get 38.75per cent job reservation. SP State president Rabi Behera said that as the State is going to fill up 1.31 lakh vacant Government posts, the reservation should be strictly implemented for the benefit of OBC students.
The party urged the commission to give direction to the State Government for strict implementation of reservation for OBCs in the admission in the State-run colleges and universities including medical, engineering and postgraduate institutions.
“If 27per cent reservation for OBC students is not legally feasible then 11.25per cent reservation in admission can be given to the OBC students from this admission session,” Behera said. He also urged the commission to start a caste census in the State.