SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Other Backward Classes Association (MOBCA) has urged Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to ensure that OBC certificates are once again issued and OBCs are not deprived of their constitutional and legal rights and privileges.
In a representation to the chief minister with regard to List of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the association stated that prior to creation of Meghalaya, United Khasi and Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills were two districts of Assam and OBC certificates were issued without hindrance.
It said that the state government has abruptly put a hold on OBC certificates on the pretext that the notified List of Other Backward Classes does not exist and no specific community has been recognised as OBC.
This has caused irreparable loss and injury to the OBCs in the state, the association said.
The association referred to a letter dated October 10, 1979 from the Under Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya addressed to the Secretary, Backward Classes Commission, Government of India bearing testimony that List of Other Backward Classes exists.
According to the association, the Provisional List of Other Backward Classes still exists.
The List of Other Backward Classes was forwarded to the Backward Classes Commission, Government of India.