Prithviraj Chavan warns against fake OBCs

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said on Sunday attempts to contest from seats reserved for other backward castes  (OBCs) by acquiring fake OBC certificates would not be tolerated, adding that strict action would be taken against offenders.

Addressing a rally of OBCs in Pune, organised by MLC Deepti Choudhary, Chavan said those who acquire fake OBC certificates enjoy the benefits while people belonging to the OBCs are deprived of them. 

He promised to make more funds available for the OBC Development Authority, adding that provision of Rs190 crore has been made for scholarships for the year 2011-12. The state government is making efforts to extend the annual income limit of non-creamy layer from Rs4.5 lakh to Rs10 lakh, he added. 

He said the state government supported OBC reservations in promotions and started a drive to clear the backlog of OBCs in employment.

Minister for social justice and welfare of nomadic denotified tribes and other backward classes, Shivajirao Moghe, said the list of castes included in the OBC tag is going up and it has become difficult to verify OBCs. He expressed concern on the rising number of people taking advantage of OBC facilities with the help of fake certificates.

About setting up a memorial of Mahatma Phule at Bhide Wada in the city, where Phule started the first girls school, Chavan said a property dispute was delaying the decision.  “Senior leaders should intervene to settle the dispute, so that a memorial can be constructed,” he said. 

Cooperation and parliamentary affairs minister Harshvardhan Patil, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president, Manikrao Thakre and minister for forest, Patangrao Kadam were present.