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Separate Column for OBCs in Census Mandatory; State Must Send Urgent Letter to Centre: Vijay Wadettiwar
Mumbai : Participating in the budget debate in the Legislative Assembly, Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar raised a strong demand regarding a fundamental issue concerning the OBC community. He expressed deep displeasure over the absence of a separate column for OBCs in the census, despite the Central Government having already announced the exercise.
Posing the question, "If the exact population of OBCs remains unclear, how are they to secure their rights?" Wadettiwar stated, "A separate column for OBCs must be included in the census, and the State Government should immediately correspond with the Central Government regarding this matter and actively follow up on it."
Wadettiwar further clarified that, despite the OBC community constituting 50 percent of the population, allocating a mere ?300 crore in funds to 'Mahajyoti'—and granting an equivalent budget to other institutions—is unjust. He noted that stipends due to PhD students have not yet been disbursed. Furthermore, while OBC students are being steered toward online training, their actual demand is for offline training. Despite an expenditure ranging from ?50,000 to ?1 lakh per student, 85 percent of the students have rejected the online training module. He also alleged that these funds are effectively being squandered solely on sustaining the operations of these institutions.
Wadettiwar also highlighted the severe hardships faced by students residing outside hostels due to the inordinate delays in the disbursement of subsidies under the 'Swadhar' scheme.
Additionally, leveling a serious allegation regarding a ?12,000 crore scam within the 'Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan' (Clean Maharashtra Mission), he demanded an inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Instances have come to light involving the creation of fraudulent Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) based merely on visual representations of garbage piles, the fraudulent claiming of 100 percent payment for only 30 percent of the actual work completed, and the awarding of contracts to relatives in places such as Akkalkot, Latur, and Panchgani.
Wadettiwar also drew attention to a complaint lodged by MNS leader Avinash Jadhav, alleging that certain officials within the Social Justice Department are demanding kickbacks (percentage cuts). Wadettiwar's demands and allegations—particularly those concerning the OBC community—have significantly intensified the debate within the Legislative Assembly. OBC organizations have also expressed the expectation that the State Government should view this matter with seriousness and make a formal request to the Central Government.
Mumbai : Participating in the budget debate in the Legislative Assembly, Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar raised a strong demand regarding a fundamental issue concerning the OBC community. He expressed deep displeasure over the absence of a separate column for OBCs in the census, despite the Central Government having already announced the exercise.
Posing the question, "If the exact population of OBCs remains unclear, how are they to secure their rights?" Wadettiwar stated, "A separate column for OBCs must be included in the census, and the State Government should immediately correspond with the Central Government regarding this matter and actively follow up on it."
Wadettiwar further clarified that, despite the OBC community constituting 50 percent of the population, allocating a mere ?300 crore in funds to 'Mahajyoti'—and granting an equivalent budget to other institutions—is unjust. He noted that stipends due to PhD students have not yet been disbursed. Furthermore, while OBC students are being steered toward online training, their actual demand is for offline training. Despite an expenditure ranging from ?50,000 to ?1 lakh per student, 85 percent of the students have rejected the online training module. He also alleged that these funds are effectively being squandered solely on sustaining the operations of these institutions.
Wadettiwar also highlighted the severe hardships faced by students residing outside hostels due to the inordinate delays in the disbursement of subsidies under the 'Swadhar' scheme.
Additionally, leveling a serious allegation regarding a ?12,000 crore scam within the 'Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan' (Clean Maharashtra Mission), he demanded an inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Instances have come to light involving the creation of fraudulent Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) based merely on visual representations of garbage piles, the fraudulent claiming of 100 percent payment for only 30 percent of the actual work completed, and the awarding of contracts to relatives in places such as Akkalkot, Latur, and Panchgani.
Wadettiwar also drew attention to a complaint lodged by MNS leader Avinash Jadhav, alleging that certain officials within the Social Justice Department are demanding kickbacks (percentage cuts). Wadettiwar's demands and allegations—particularly those concerning the OBC community—have significantly intensified the debate within the Legislative Assembly. OBC organizations have also expressed the expectation that the State Government should view this matter with seriousness and make a formal request to the Central Government.
Posing the question, "If the exact population of OBCs remains unclear, how are they to secure their rights?" Wadettiwar stated, "A separate column for OBCs must be included in the census, and the State Government should immediately correspond with the Central Government regarding this matter and actively follow up on it."
Wadettiwar further clarified that, despite the OBC community constituting 50 percent of the population, allocating a mere ?300 crore in funds to 'Mahajyoti'—and granting an equivalent budget to other institutions—is unjust. He noted that stipends due to PhD students have not yet been disbursed. Furthermore, while OBC students are being steered toward online training, their actual demand is for offline training. Despite an expenditure ranging from ?50,000 to ?1 lakh per student, 85 percent of the students have rejected the online training module. He also alleged that these funds are effectively being squandered solely on sustaining the operations of these institutions.
Wadettiwar also highlighted the severe hardships faced by students residing outside hostels due to the inordinate delays in the disbursement of subsidies under the 'Swadhar' scheme.
Additionally, leveling a serious allegation regarding a ?12,000 crore scam within the 'Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan' (Clean Maharashtra Mission), he demanded an inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Instances have come to light involving the creation of fraudulent Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) based merely on visual representations of garbage piles, the fraudulent claiming of 100 percent payment for only 30 percent of the actual work completed, and the awarding of contracts to relatives in places such as Akkalkot, Latur, and Panchgani.
Wadettiwar also drew attention to a complaint lodged by MNS leader Avinash Jadhav, alleging that certain officials within the Social Justice Department are demanding kickbacks (percentage cuts). Wadettiwar's demands and allegations—particularly those concerning the OBC community—have significantly intensified the debate within the Legislative Assembly. OBC organizations have also expressed the expectation that the State Government should view this matter with seriousness and make a formal request to the Central Government.
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