Bhawanipatna: Members of the OBC Forum in Kalahandi are observing a 12-hour bandh in the district alleging violation of constitutional rights of backward classes by the State Government.
The bandh began at 6 am and will end at 6 pm. Several shops, business establishments, government, and private offices, were closed and major roads have been blocked affecting vehicular communication.
The forum has demanded 27% reservation for backward classes in the upcoming panchayat elections.
Earlier on October 18, members of the Zilla OBC Manch in Nuapada district had observed a 6 am to 6 pm bandh alleging the State Government has slashed the reservation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the upcoming Panchayat Elections from 27% to 2.8%.
It is worthwhile to mention that the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department of Odisha had published the draft list for reservation of Zilla Parishad president posts for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Class, and Women in the 30 districts of the State on October 16.
According to the notification of the draft list issued by the Director, Panchayati Raj the Zilla Parishad president posts of four districts Angul, Keonjhar, Khordha, and Gajapati have been allotted to the Backward Class.
As per provisions in the relevant laws, the public can submit objections/suggestions within 10 days of the notification of the draft list on allotment of reservations i.e. 5.30 PM of 25th October by email to dir-pr.od@gov.in or prsec.or@nic.in
The notification has stated that the State government on the basis of objections/suggestions received within the stipulated period will take a final decision on the draft list on reservations.
