Enhanced quota for SC/STs show our commitment to Ambedkar’s ideals: Odisha CM

Bhubaneswar/Keonjhar: Recent enhancement of reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in medical and technical education reflected the BJP govt’s commitment to the ideals of B R Ambedkar, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Tuesday.

Addressing an event to mark Ambedkar’s birth anniversary at the BJP office here, Majhi said earlier govts spoke about social justice but hesitated to implement proportional reservation. “Our govt has taken concrete steps,” the CM said, referring to the increase of quota for SC/STs in medical and technical courses, and the introduction of reservation for Other Backward Classes.

Earlier this month, the state cabinet approved revision of quota for STs to 22.5% and 16.25% for SCs in admissions to medical and technical courses, up from 12% and 8%, respectively. An 11.25% quota was also introduced for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC)s.

Attending another state-level programme, the CM announced to build an Ambedkar Bhawan at Kharavela Nagar in Bhubaneswar soon. The general administration department will prepare the detailed project report, he said.

Earlier, the CM visited the Maa Tarini temple at Ghatagaon in Keonjhar district and witnessed the golden attire ritual of the deity on the occasion of Chaiti festival. Majhi offered prayers and performed puja at the shrine amid tight security arrangements.

Rajendra Pattanayak, former president of Maa Tarini Trust Board and a close aide of the CM, said, “Majhi reached the temple around 10 am, performed the rituals and returned to Bhubaneswar.”

(With inputs from Naresh Chandra Pattanayak)


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