Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 15: Various organizations of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), under united forum, have resolved to launch next phase of OBC Adhikar Tiranga Yatra on September 28 from Jammu for Billawar-Basohli and Kathua.
The decision to this effect was taken in a joint meeting of the heads/representatives of various OBC organizations held here today. It was resolved in the meeting that in order to create awareness among the OBC communities and also draw the attention of the Government towards to urgent issues of the OBCs, the next leg of OBC Adhikar Tiranga Yatra will be started from Jammu on Sept 28, 2024 and the Yatra after passing through Ramkote, Phinter, Billawar, Mahanpur, Basohli will culminate at Kathua on Oct 1, 2024.
The members unanimously stressed for the need to implement Mandal Commission report in the Jammu and Kashmir. They also opposed the inclusion of 13 new communities in the OBC category by the Commission led by Justice (Retd) GD Sharma. They claimed that only earlier included communities are entitled for the OBC category.
They pointed out that J&K UT Govt on June 11, 2024 set up Dedicated Commission after Administrative Council decision for 45 days, before the election of Panchayats, Municipal Corporations/ Committees, regarding OBC reservation, which will work on triple point formula. It has been mentioned in the order that term of the Commission will be of 45 days. It means 35 days have already passed, and only 10 days have left but till date the members of OBC communities are unaware of the body of this Dedicated Commission, its Chairman and members and location of its office in Jammu and Srinagar. There is no publicity and information in the media regarding operation or existence of any such commission.
The speakers during meeting urged the OBC masses not to be swayed with the claims of the BJP Government and teach them a lesson (Vote Ki Chot) in the forthcoming elections. They also demanded that creamy layer clause should be abolished from the rules for OBCs as done in case of SCs/STs. The Government should release scholarships for OBC students and for Dedicated Commission members from OBCs must be inducted.
Prominent speakers included-Kewal Fotra, Darshan Mehra, Gopal Krishan Sanotra, F C Satia, K L Basotra, Bansi Lal Choudhary, Talvinder Singh, Jagdish K Kashyap, ML Pawar and others.