OBC survey from May 1 to 27, oppn calls it political gimmick

OBC survey from May 1 to 27, oppn calls it political gimmick 

People Can Apply Both Offline, Online

• Bhubaneswar: Ahead of next year's Lok Sabha and assembly elections, the state government on Thursday advertised for survey of backward classes from May 1 to 27.

• The government notice said social and educational condition of the 208 socially and economically backward classes will be surveyed. One member of each family can visit the survey centers with valid identity cards such as Aadhar, voter ID, PAN card or passport and fill up the survey forms. Alternately, they can do so online by logging in to the website of Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (OSCBC).

• The exercise is being considered politically significant with more than 50% of state's population belonging to the backward classes. Though Odisha largely doesn't have history of voting on caste lines, the BJD government had tried to lure the Kulta and Meher communities by announcing separate packages for them ahead of Padampur byelection last year.

• The opposition termed the fore," he said. the "delayed move" a "poll gimmick." Addressing a news conference, BJP OBC Morha state president Surath Biswal said the move is an eyewash with no intention to help the backward classes. dict. "The process was deliberately delayed for two years. Moreover, it is surprising there will be no door-to-door sur vey. Real facts won't come to the fore," he said.

• The opposition termed the "delayed move" a "poll gimmick." Addressing a news conference, BJP OBC Morha state president Surath Biswal said the move is an eyewash with no intention to help the backward classes. dict. "The process was deliberately delayed for two years. Moreover, it is surprising there I will be no door-to-door survey. Real facts won't come to the fore," he said.

• Echoing Congress Chandra MLA views, Routray similar Suresh said the survey is meant to lure the backward classes for votes. Otherwise, there is no reason why the survey is being con ducted when the assembly election is barely seven months away Ruling BJD MLA Shas HI Bhusan Behera said the timing should not be questioned as it followed a due process. The government is committed to welfare of all sections of people. "This exercise will help government come out with scientific data on the condition of the back- ward classes," he said.

• Caste enumeration data is a pre-requisite to ensure reservation for the backward class citizens in panchayat and urban local body elections following the Supreme Court's December 2020 ver dict.

• Odisha had to do away with reservation for the OBCs in the last year's panchayat and urban local body elections in absence of such data. The state currently offers 11.25% reservation to OBCs in jobs, but not in education.