Hans News Service Vijayawada

TheAll India OBC Welfare Association has demanded 34% political reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in local bodies, State Assemblies and Parliament. It made an appeal to the Centre to introduce a constitutional amendment during the ongoing Parliament session. Addressing a press conference in Vijayawada on Thursday, the association president Angirekula Varaprasad Yadav said OBCs constitute nearly 54% of the country’s population and deserve adequate political representation to ensure social justice and equality. He called upon the Central government to introduce the OBC Reservation Bill and amend the Constitution to provide 34% reservation in elected bodies. Announcing a nationwide ‘Chalo Delhi’ agitation from August 5 to 7, Varaprasad Yadav appealed to BC public representatives, students, women and youth to participate in large numbers and press the Centre to fulfil the community’s long-pending demands. He urged the Centre to enact a special OBC Sub-Plan Act, allocate Rs 15,000 crore for the welfare and development of communities engaged in traditional occupations, and launch a dedicated Artisans Welfare Scheme. Varaprasad Yadav also appealed to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to persuade Prime Minister Narendra Modi to support the proposed constitutional amendment. He further demanded the establishment of a separate Union Ministry for OBCs, stating that the community continues to face economic and social inequalities even after more than seven decades of Independence.

On the occasion, Varaprasad Yadav presented appointment letters to several office-bearers of the association, including P Vijayababu, Chinka Srinivas Yadav, Bonu Mani Yadav, Galavelli Ravi and Ramarao.

State vice-president Sujan Singh, general secretary of the OBC Women’s Association Devarakonda Ramadevi, and several other association leaders were present at the press conference.