BJP Slams Odisha Govt Move For Simultaneous Enumeration Of SEBC, OBC

Bhubaneswar: The BJP on Monday criticised the Odisha government for its move for simultaneous enumeration of the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC)/castes along with the general Census.

BJP state general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said that during its 20-year rule, the BJD government has never taken any initiative for the socio-economic development of the OBC community.

“The gross apathy of the state government towards the setting up of an OBC Commission makes it evident that it does not want the development of the OBC community,” Harichandan told the media at the BJP headquarters here.

He also said that except Odisha, other states have implemented 27 per cent reservation for the SEBC and OBC communities for their education and employment. “Let the state government come up with a clarification on this matter,” he demanded.

Alleging that the state government has made rampant irregularities in its Awas Yojana and Food Security programme, Harichandan said the former will repeat such irregularity by preparing the SEBC and OBC on party basis. “The BJP suspects that the state government has decided to tamper these lists for to strengthen its vote bank,” he maintained.

Refuting the allegations, ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Minister Jagannath Saraka said that the state government has taken up a series of steps for the development of the SC, ST, SEBC and OBC communities. “To provide quality education to these backward communities, several hostels have been constructed,” he added.

The minster also informed that the state government has begun the process to set up an OBC Commission at the earliest.