TEAM HERALD
PONDA: Welcoming the statement of Social Welfare Minister Mahadev Naik to increase OBC reservation in educational institutions and government jobs from 19.5 to 27 per cent, Gomantak Bhandari Samaj (GBS) President Anil Hoble stated that the government initiated steps only after GBS took up the issue of OBC reservation.
According to reports, Mahadev Naik has said the decision to implement 27 OBC reservations in educational institutions and government jobs will be taken at the cabinet meeting scheduled this week and will be implemented soon after.
Hoble said in Goa, GBS forms majority of the population out of the total 19 communities which comes under OBC (Other Backward Class) and as such they took the lead so that OBCs get their rights.
“There is Supreme Court nod to 27 per cent OBC reservation in educational institutions and government jobs and even BJP had assured of the same during the assembly polls,” said Hoble.
According to information, government was criticized for non-implementation of OBC reservation in the State and in protest GBS members had threatened to agitate during its meetings held in the State last year.
“There was a delay and we decided to step up the pressure demanding our rights (reservation) and finally our efforts have yielded good results. I am happy that government has finally decided to implement the 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in the State,” said Hoble.
GBS will organise a one-day programme at Sport Complex ground, Ponda, on January 19 to commemorate its 100 years and about 100 people (Bhandari Samaj) from different fields will be honoured on the occasion.
On Monday, Hoble along with other office bearers launched the work to set up the pandal for the mega meeting which is expected to see participation of over 20,000 people from the Bhandari community.
“According to our estimate, there is about 5 lakh Bhandari population in the State and GBS through its village and taluka committees will compile the data of the Samaj,” informed Hoble.
According to information, film personality Mahesh Manjrekar, is expected to attend the programme.
