18 per cent seat in HP reserved for OBCc, says CM

Kangra, Jun 9 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today asserted that Mandal Commission recommendations had been implemented in the state and said 18 per cent jobs in the government sector were reserved for the OBCs.

After accepting the Commission's recommendations, the state government was giving 18 per cent reservation in government sector to the OBCs, he said, while addressing a public meeting at Kothi in Palampur area of the district, here.

Mr Singh said his government had constituted the OBC Development and Finance Corporation through which a number of schemes were being implemented for their socio-economic uplift.

Soft loan facilities and other welfare schemes were available and community specific programmes were also being formulated and implemented for the benefits of the OBCs, he said.

Accusing some political parties of exploiting the sentiments of the OBCs to further their own ends, he said however, the community had now become wiser and realised what was actually good for it.

The Chief Minister also reiterated his government's resolve to ensure the welfare of the minorities and providing them every opportunity to progress and prosper.

Kangra had made progress in road network, education, health and drinking water supply schemes after its merger with the state, he said, adding that the literacy rates in the district had increased substantially.

The government had been paying additional attention towards the developmental and other requirements of the people of the area, he said.

Mr Singh said the biggest achievement of his govenrment had been the emotional integration of the district with the rest of the state, while cautioning people to remain vigilant against the divisive forces which play upon emotional issues like caste, religion and regionalism for self-interests.

Such elements must not be allowed to raise their head and disturb the peace of the state, he said.

UNI AS JN MSJ HT2104