Bhubaneswar, January 16: The Odisha OBC Forum has reiterated its demand for 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in state government jobs and educational institutions. This appeal was made during a meeting with Ganesh Singh, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of OBCs, held on Thursday in Bhubaneswar.
The forum, led by Chairman Rabi Behera, Secretary Narayan Dalua, Tankadhar Das, and Gyan Ranjan Behera, submitted a six-point petition highlighting their key demands. These include implementing 27% reservation in government jobs and educational admissions, conducting a caste census, and reviving policies that support OBC welfare.
Currently, Odisha provides only 11.25% reservation to Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) in government jobs, with no provisions for OBC students in professional fields like engineering and medicine.
The forum also demanded the reinstatement of the 27% OBC reservation in the three-tier Panchayati Raj system, a policy that had been implemented before 1997 but is no longer in effect.
Additionally, they called for the revival and strengthening of the Odisha OBC Finance Corporation, which has been defunct for over 15 years. The forum stressed that a functioning finance corporation could offer financial support to unemployed OBC youth.
In their memorandum, the forum emphasized the need for a caste census as part of the upcoming national census. Rabi Behera stated, "The state government must prioritize a caste census and ensure the implementation of 27% reservation in both government jobs and educational institutions."
He also criticized the state government for neglecting the recommendations of the Mandal Commission, which have been implemented nationwide since August 7, 1990.
Narayan Dalua added, "The previous BJD government conducted an OBC caste census through the OBC Commission. We urge the current government to publish the findings and act on them."
