PONDA: Gomantak Bhandari Samaj President Ashok Naik on Tuesday demanded reservation provided to other backward classes (OBC) for the upcoming panchayat elections 2022, based on 2013 population census.
He said, “Panchayat tenure ends on June 19 and therefore government and the Election Commission should conduct election based on 2013 OBC census. Government should not adopt delay on panchayat election and give justice to OBC categories by keeping reservation to them”.
“Delaying election on OBC reservation would only do injustice to the community”, he added. He also reminded the government that the 2017 panchayat elections were held based on 2013 OBC population data.
“OBC Commission has village wise population survey conducted in 2013. This survey was conducted when OBC job reservation was increased to 27 per cent from 19 per cent”, he said.
“Panchayat elections should be held based on 2013 OBC population survey and without any further delay. If government conducts fresh survey of OBC population it would took at least one year. The new data can be used for next panchayat elections scheduled in 2027”, he suggested.
