Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Aug, 14
The Jammu and Kashmir Reserved Categories Employees Association (JKRCEA) held a press conference to criticize both the central and Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory (JKUT) governments for their handling of issues related to SC, ST, and OBC communities.
The organization accused the ruling dispensation, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of undermining constitutional rights and benefits for these communities.
JKRCEA leaders condemned the government’s policies, highlighting issues such as the erosion of reservation rights, privatization without SC ST OBC representation, and the failure to address their demands for reservation in promotions and proper implementation of various welfare schemes.
They emphasized the lack of response to their demands for a white paper on the supposed benefits claimed by the government.
Prof. G.L. Thapa, Working President of JKRCEA, criticized the ruling party for systematically weakening SCSTOBC communities by ignoring their demands and undermining established rights. He pointed out that recent changes to direct recruitment rosters have made it difficult for SCs to secure positions and promotions. He also accused SCSTOBC leaders of failing to advocate effectively for their communities and instead supporting unconstitutional decisions.
Mohinder Bhagat, Working General Secretary, added that the BJP’s promises to SCSTOBC communities have not been fulfilled over the past decade. He highlighted issues such as the Supreme Court’s advisory on sub-classification and the implementation of the Mandal Commission report. He also criticized the lack of action on reservation in promotions and the vacant position of a Scheduled Caste PSC member. Sham Bassan, another leader, argued that the current LG government in JKUT and the central government have failed to deliver justice for SCSTOBC communities. He accused the LG administration of poor treatment of SCSTOBCs and warned that further anti-SCSTOBC policies would lead to political repercussions in future elections.
The press conference concluded with a set of demands, including restoration and safeguarding of reservation in employment and education, including reservations in promotions, reversion of direct recruitment rosters to the previous format, full implementation of the Mandal Commission report and initiation of a caste-based census in JKUT, proper enforcement of the SCST Atrocities Act and protection of land ownership rights, implementation of the SC Component Plan and protection of SCSTOBC employees in their service matters, allocation of land/plots to SCSTOBCs and fixed percentages of housing in government projects, immediate withdrawal of S.O 305 of 2024, which negatively affects the SC community by altering the recruitment roster.
The leaders also expressed their support for the Bharat Bandh call on August 21, 2024, to protest against the sub-classification and creamy layer provisions among SCSTs.
