Are There Sufficient Funds for the Welfare and Development of the OBC Community?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 27% political reservation for OBCs in local bodies.
- Rs 38 crore allocated for OBC Bhavan in Nagpur.
- 54 new hostels for OBC students.
- Financial aid of Rs 60,000 for students.
- Commitment to fulfill 76 new demands from the OBC community.
Goa, Aug 7 (NationPress) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized a range of initiatives aimed at empowering the OBC community, assuring that there will be no lack of funds for the execution of welfare and development programs. In his inaugural address at the 10th National Convention of the National OBC Federation, he noted that following the Supreme Court's 2020 ruling which annulled OBC political reservations, the government fought successfully to reinstate this in 2022.
A full 27 percent political reservation has now been enacted in municipal corporations, municipalities, town panchayats, district councils, and gram panchayats.
He remarked that a crucial decision was made in 2004 by the Legislative Assembly Request Committee to raise the non-creamy layer threshold from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh.
The Chief Minister mentioned that the state government has taken 50 key decisions benefiting the OBC community, with their implementation currently in progress.
Among the initiatives shared by CM Fadnavis were the establishment of 54 hostels for OBC boys and girls, overseas scholarships, and a financial aid program offering Rs 60,000 for students unable to secure hostel accommodation.
Furthermore, he announced a funding of Rs 38 crore dedicated to the construction of a grand OBC Bhavan in Nagpur for the national OBC community, promising that the project will be completed promptly.
He underscored seven pivotal decisions made by the Central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to empower the OBC community nationwide, including the caste-based census, conferring constitutional status to the OBC Commission, reservation for doctors in the Central government, and the highest representation of OBC ministers in the history of Independent India’s Union Cabinet.
During the event, 76 new demands from the OBC community were presented, 25 of which pertain to the Maharashtra government. The Chief Minister confirmed that these demands would be met, reiterating that there will be no shortage of funds for the OBC community.
The event was attended by notable figures including the Chairman of the National Backward Classes Commission, Hansraj Ahir, the President of the National OBC Federation, Dr. Babanrao Taywade, and MLAs Kisan Kathore, Dr. Parinay Fuke, and Devram Bhongle.