Bhubaneswar: The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday pressed for the immediate implementation of a 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in all educational institutions, including technical and professional colleges, as well as in government employment.
A delegation of BJD MPs and MLAs submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Odisha at Raj Bhavan.
The party criticized the Odisha government’s recent move to introduce an 11.25% reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) in higher education, terming it insufficient.
BJD leaders pointed out that the current policy excludes crucial sectors like engineering and medical colleges, where OBC representation remains limited.
Highlighting broader disparities, the memorandum also drew attention to the underrepresentation of Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Scheduled Castes (SCs) in professional education.
Despite making up 22.5% and 16.25% of the state’s population respectively, STs and SCs currently receive only 12% and 8% reservation in medical, engineering, and technical institutions—a combined 20% that falls significantly short of the 38.75% reservation extended to them in other higher education streams.
The BJD urged the Governor to facilitate a revision in reservation policies that would ensure uniform 27% OBC quotas across all educational and vocational courses. They also called for an upward revision of ST and SC quotas in technical education, aligning them with their demographic proportions.
Reaffirming its commitment to social justice, the BJD emphasized that it has consistently advocated for inclusive growth and the empowerment of marginalized communities.
