West Bengal Government will soon provide reservation to the people under OBC category in panchayat administration and asked the Centre to initiate steps for similar reservation in other states.
In a written statement in the state Assembly today, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister, Anisur Rahaman informed that the state government would soon amend the West Bengal Panchayat Act to grant reservation to OBC people.
He said identification of a section of OBC people in the state had already been done. The process of further identification was on by the OBC Commission and more people would be included in the list before its final announcement.
Inclusion of the OBCs in the three-tier panchayati administration was essential for the development of these people and their areas, he said.
Apart from the members of three-tier panchayati raj system, the state government would also seek reservation of OBCs for the post of chairperson in panchayat bodies.
The number of posts to be reserved for OBCs would be finalised on the basis of OBC population in the area, he said.
Welcoming Rahaman's announcement, CLP leader Manas Bhuniya told reporters outside the House that the Congress was in favour of this decision.