OBC Forum shocked over omission of OBCs from Reservation Bill

New Delhi, Nov 5 (UNI) The Parliamentary Forum of the MPs from OBC category have expressed 'shock' over the Government's decision to withdraw the SC, ST and OBC Reservation Bill 2004, replacing it with a new Bill leaving out the OBCs.

"This is a great blow to the legitimate aspirations of the OBCs who were expecting a fair treatment from the Government to their cause," Mr V Hanumantha Rao, Convenor of the Forum, said in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

People were bound to ask the OBC MPs why their category was left out from the Bill, he said, adding that the Common Minimum Programme of the UPA had committed to adhere to six basic principles of governance that included providing for full opportunity to them, particularly in education and employment.

Urging Dr Singh to include OBCs in the Reservation Bill to instill confidence in them that their legitimate aspirations were given protection by the Government. Several OBC MPs have signed the petition of Mr Hanumantha Rao.

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