Gujarat govt ignoring OBCs, alleges Lenka

Ahmedabad, Jun 11 (UNI) Despite eleven years of BJP rule in Gujarat, the state government has done nothing for the uplift of OBCs, who comprising over 55 per cent of the state's population, Mr K C Lenka, chairperson of AICC's OBC department alleged today.

Addressing mediapersons here, he said as per its common minimum prgramme the UPA government was committed to the upliftment of the OBCs.

Starting from July 15, a month long OBC mahasammelans will be held in the state so as to strengthen the OBCs at grassroot level in all the blocks of the districts, Mr Lenka said.

He said some vested interests have gone to the Supreme Court against the recent OBC reservations.

He said though states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu have set up separate financial corporations for the OBCs and advanced loans for unemployed youths, the Gujarat government is yet to set up a financial commission in this regard.

He said Congress president Sonia Gandhi has made it clear about her commitment in welfare of the OBCs. The state government also should have a time-bound programme for residential schools, separate hostels, vocational training facilities for the OBCs.

It is not enough that reservations are provided at the all-India level to OBCs. The state should also ensure that the reservation was properly implemented so that various welfare scheme designed for economic upliftment reach the targetted groups, Mr Lenka said.

UNI