RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, March 9: The State government hinted at conducting an election without taking a decision on the demand for reservation to other backward classes (OBCs).
Parliamentary affairs minister Alamgir Alam gave this hint while replying to a question of BJP legislator Ramchandra Chandravanshi asking the government regarding the reason behind the delay in holding the said election despite a cabinet decision to this effect on February 24 this year.
The minister said that the decision has been taken in the interest of the state as the union government threatened to stop MGNREGA funds in the absence of an elected Panchayat. The decision is being taken in the interest of the state.
While giving hints to conduct elections without giving reservation to the backward classes, the minister said that a commission will be constituted to take a decision on the issue of increasing reservation of OBCs.
As the minister hinted, Ajsu legislator Sudesh Mahto suggested the government plan a third extension in the interest of OBCs asking what is wrong in giving the third extension when two extensions have already been given if it helps benefit OBCs. On which the minister did not give any assurance.
When a JMM legislator asked the minister whether elections in the scheduled and non-scheduled areas will be done separately and whether elections in scheduled areas will be conducted under the provision of the PESA Act, the minister said all elections will be held simultaneously and reservation to the tribal will be given as usual.
When legislator Chandravarshi attempted to corner the state government on the issue, minister Alam took strong exception to this, blaming the BJP government for the same.
“Who reduced the reservation to OBCs to 14 percent in the state? If your party was serious about the reservation to OBCs why did it not give it when it was in power,” Alam asked.
“The work which your government could not do while definitely done by our government,” Alam assured.
