Jammu, March 23:
In a significant push for the empowerment of Other Backward Classes (OBC) in Jammu & Kashmir, Braham Jyot Satti, President of the BJP OBC Morcha J&K, addressed a press conference today at the party’s Trikuta Nagar headquarters. Highlighting systemic gaps, Satti called for immediate administrative reforms to ensure constitutional safeguards reach every eligible individual in the Union Territory.
Accompanied by BJP Media Secretary Pardeep Mahotra and other senior office bearers, Satti reiterated the party’s unwavering commitment to the social and economic upliftment of the OBC communities.
The ‘Rural Only’ Barrier: A Call for Uniformity
The central theme of the briefing was the discrepancy in issuing caste certificates to specific communities, including Teli, Potter (Kumhar), Dhobi, and Barber.
Satti pointed out that while these castes are recognized across both urban and rural areas in the rest of India, in Jammu & Kashmir, certificates are currently restricted to rural residents.
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The Demand: Satti urged the government to remove the “Rural Only” tag from the Central List for J&K.
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The Impact: This move would allow thousands of OBC individuals living in urban centers to finally access reservation benefits and welfare schemes.
Economic Reforms: Raising the Creamy Layer
Addressing the impact of inflation and the rising cost of living, the OBC Morcha President proposed a revision of the “Creamy Layer” criteria.
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Current Limit: ₹8 Lakh
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Proposed Limit: ₹12 Lakh
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Goal: To ensure that deserving families are not unfairly excluded from government support due to evolving socio-economic conditions.
Education & Digital Empowerment
Focusing on the youth, Satti proposed a tech-driven initiative for students. He suggested that financially weaker OBC students who pass Class 12 should be provided with laptops.
“This initiative would promote digital education and empower students from disadvantaged backgrounds to compete on an equal footing in today’s technology-driven world,” Satti stated.
Simplifying the Process
To reduce bureaucratic delays, the Morcha suggested that recommendations from registered community Sabhas should be deemed sufficient for granting caste certificates. This flexibility, they argued, would make the process more accessible to the common man.
Positive Response from Leadership
Satti informed the media that these concerns have already been escalated to the highest levels:
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BJP President Sat Sharma responded positively, reportedly contacting a Union Minister on the spot to discuss the issues.
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LG Manoj Sinha was presented with a memorandum recently and has assured the delegation of sympathetic consideration and prompt action.
Tribute to Martyrs
Before the briefing, members of the BJP OBC Morcha paid floral tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev on their martyrdom day, honoring their supreme sacrifice for India’s independence.
Present at the occasion: Sunny Sangotra (State Gen Secy), Ashok Salgotra (State Secy), Shivali Khangar (State Office Secy), Ashok Pandey (State Media Secy), Vinod Choudhary (Publicity Secy), and Ram Paul (Treasurer).
