Jharkhand Backward Class Maha Sabha (JBCMS) demanded 27 per cent reservation for backwards class while stressing that it should be proportional to population.

While addressing as a chief guest at All India Backward Classes meeting orgnaised by JBCMS, former Deputy Chief Minister and AJSU Party Central Committee president Sudesh Kumar Mahto said, JBCMS has been consistently raising its voice demanding 27 per cent reservation for the backward classes in Jharkhand.

“At the same time, this demand has been emphasised that on the basis of population the share of reservation should be decided. Apart from this, the roster system has been implemented in 13 districts of the State. Urgent reforms need to be made in the system” he added.

Speaking on the occasion Mahto said, “The reservation is not a question of financial support, it is only matter of participation and representation and this is matter of shareholding also. It can’t be judged financially by adding or taking any kind of action on the issue with the interests of the larger population. We welcome the decision of reservations given to the poor people of general class but a big section of society in this State is waiting for constitutional decision.”

Commenting in purpose the conference Mahto said, “Through this conference, I want to raise the issue in the larger circle because backward class is entitled to constitutional rights according to their population, which is being deprived. The question of reservation is often associated with economic status.”

Stressing on better implementation of reservation Mahto said, “There should be more stress on the fact that the involvement of appointments in the jobs and enrollment in educational institutions is ensured and a direct opportunity to representation. Only then Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar’s dream can be realized.”

Mahto said that socio-economic census has been done at national level and in the State it should be made publicly in which circumstances the government has put it in cold box.

While giving example of other States Mahto said “In 2002, the Cabinet sub-committee recommended 73 per cent reservation. I was also in the sub-committee. The government passed the proposal too. But later did not take the initiative at the judicial level. In Integrated Bihar, the backward class got 27 percent reservation but it became 14 percent after the formation of this State.”

“A total reservation of 69 to 72 per cent has been made in many states. Actually, the State governments can increase the reservation limit by more than fifty percent. For this, a decision of the Supreme Court has already announced earlier” he added.

 Mahto said that even without implementing the Mandal Commission’s recommendations, a large population has been deprived of its constitutional right. He also demanded that there should be reservation in the private sector.