NC government betrays OBC communities: BJP, demand allocation of sufficient funds: GL Raina

National Conference government in a shocking and undemocratic manner has denied funds to the advisory board for Welfare and Development of OBCs in the UT of Jammu Kashmir. This is betrayal of the major chunk of population categorised as OBCs and who are seriously lagging behind in terms of most of the human development indicators. In a communication to the Secretary of the advisory board for Welfare and Development of OBCs JK social welfare department has asked her to, in a way, close its activities and shift the office to space hired by the Secretary advisory board for Welfare and Development of SCs. This communication has caused a lot of resentment and discontent among OBCs. They are genuinely disappointed and angry.

Terming the development as unfortunate Bharatiya Janata Party has asked NC government to rescind such anti people, anti-OBC orders and fulfil its promises of people’s welfare.

OBCs as a significant component of our population have not been able to share equally the benefits of growth process and development. Keeping these factors into consideration the Constitution of India provides for reservations in education and public employment granted to elevate those regarded socially, educationally, and economically backward in the state’s perspective. This was stated by Girdhari Lal Raina, former MLC and party spokesperson. It is a commonly known fact that OBCs are not properly represented in the services supplied by the state, he added.

Very recently the Chairperson of National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), during his visit to the UT had asked government to ensure secure representation of OBCs in admission and employment. Signalling closure of the advisory board for Welfare and Development of OBCs by denying funds amounts to disregarding that suggestion from a constitutional authority.

The representatives of OBCs have from time to time raised various grievances including the issue of restoring pre-matric scholarship of OBCs in Jammu and Kashmir and OBC hostel facility in every district of the UT so that the community does not face problems.

Instead of addressing these grievances the NC government has come up with this undemocratic and discriminatory direction. It is reprehensible.

BJP demands allocation of sufficient funds to the advisory board for Welfare and Development of OBCs, so that it can function independently and serve the purpose for it was created, GL Raina demanded.