Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 15: National Conference OBC Cell today said that empowerment of backward classes has received a huge dent under the PDP-BJP dispensation, adding that there has been no forward movement in enhancement in the reservation quota for them.
“The Coalition Government seems to have put in back-burner the welfare measures tailored for these classes”, Co-Chairman of the Cell, Abdul Gani Teli said while addressing senior functionaries at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this afternoon.
The meeting was attended by district presidents of the Cell besides other senior functionaries.
He said that plea of the Cell for separate funds at the disposal of the designated corporation for the development of weaker sections is gathering dust and the Government is not really interested in this regard. “This will boomerang”, he said while regretting that this infirmity will adversely impact the empowerment and economic emancipation of the targeted communities.
Teli reiterated the demand for one-time issuance of Other Backward Classes category certificates, saying the procedure is needed to be streamlined so that the targeted segment of the society is not made to run helter-skelter for these after every five years.
He expressed concern over zero performance of the defunct Advisory Board for the past over two years and said that it is needed to be made functional for performing its role in the welfare of the weaker sections and devising schemes for their empowerment in a big way. He also demanded nomination of OBC representatives in the District Development Boards so that the issues pertaining to these categories of people are forcefully highlighted and their redressal sought. He said the benefits of various schemes should reach the poorer segments of the category, as there were reports that creamy layer is taking major chunk of the funds earmarked for the OBC communities.
Among others, present in the meeting, included Mohd Sadeeq Quershi, Sain Dass, Ghulam Rasool, Mangut ulla, Mohd Ayub, Ishfaq, Nazir Ahmed, Qumar –ul-Din, Kavi Raj and others.