Jharsuguda: A press conference was organized by the Jharsuguda District OBC Manch at Hotel Meghdoot. The event was graced by the Executive President of Odisha OBC Manch, Smt. Ranjita Rani Pradhan, District President Biranchi Sahu, Secretary Gopinath Behera, Vice President Siraju Khamari, and Gnyan Behera among others.
During the meeting, the Manch welcomed the historic decision of the Central Government to conduct a caste-based population census. They also appreciated the recent move by the Odisha Government to provide 11.25% reservation in higher education for SEBC candidates, stating they have no objections to this positive step.
The Manch emphasized that in earlier times they had submitted a memorandum to the State Government clarifying that SEBC reservation should not be confused with OBC reservation. They highlighted that nearly 200 castes living in Odisha, as per the Mandal Commission Report, have been deprived of their constitutional rights for over 31 years, and the Manch expressed deep resentment over this long-standing injustice.
District President Biranchi Sahu warned that if the caste-based census is not followed by proportionate representation of OBCs in education, property, governance, and private sector employment, it would amount to betrayal of the trust of over 2 crore OBCs living in Odisha.
Therefore, the Manch humbly urged the Government to take the following steps:
- Remove the 50% reservation ceiling and the creamy layer system
- Make OBC certificates permanent
- Promote skill development and entrepreneurship among OBC youth
- Ensure exclusive agricultural promotion schemes for OBC farmers
- Allocate agricultural land to landless OBC laborers
- Provide MSP (Minimum Support Price) at 1.5 times the production cost
- Establish a dedicated corporation for the socio-economic and educational upliftment of the OBC community
To press these demands, the OBC Manch plans to launch a state-wide public awareness campaign across all 30 districts. Through press conferences and the submission of memorandums to District Collectors addressed to Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, they aim to draw the government’s attention to the issues faced by the OBC population in Odisha.
