All-India forum to protect OBC rights

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 28. A conference on social justice organised by the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has decided to form an `All-India OBC Forum' to safeguard the interests of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

A resolution adopted at the end of the day-long conference appointed the PMK chief, Dr. Ramadoss, as president of the new outfit. Mr. Rajesh Pilot (Congress-I), Union Ministers, Mr. Nitish Kumar, and Mr. Ramvilas Paswan and Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav (Samajwadi Party) and Ms. Uma Bharati are some of the members of the Forum.

The Forum will meet every month and work for the betterment of OBCs. Among other resolutions, the conference sought the implementation of the Mandal Commission in toto and said the implementation of the remaining recommendations of the Mandal report would go a long way in ushering in genuine social justice.

Among the important aspects of the Mandal Commission that have not been implemented till date include extension of reservations to the private sector and reservation in educational institutions.

In his message to the delegates, the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, said social justice for all sections of society, especially those who have been victims of discrimination and denial, is top-most on the agenda of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Mr. Vajpayee's message said true social change and rapid economic development will be possible only when social justice is ensured for every citizen. ``Some effective measures have already been taken by our Government and other necessary steps will be taken to fulfill this goal.''

The Prime Minister could not participate in the function due to a throat infection.

The basic objective of the conference was to highlight the need for implementation of several measures for the uplift of the Scheduled Castes/ Tribes and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

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Section  : National
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