While addressing the 12th meeting of Himachal Pradesh Backward Classes Welfare Board at Dharamshala today, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that in order to ensure that more and more people belonging to the Other Backward Classes get benefited, the State Government has enhanced the income limit in the layer from Rs 6 lakh per annum to Rs 8 lakh per annum in the year 2018. He said that in order to give adequate representation to other backward classes in Government jobs in the State, 12 percent reservation has been provided for class-I and class-II posts and 18 percent for class-III and class-IV four posts in direct recruitment by the State Government. Jai Ram Thakur said that the OBC Commission has been established in the State to identify other backward classes in the State and on the basis of the recommendations of this Commission, 52 castes have been included in the list of Other Backward Classes by the State Government. He directed the officers to ensure that all the suggestions coming in the meeting must be given due consideration. He said that the State Government would examine the issue of certificate to the OBC for a period of three years. Chief Minister said that the balanced and all-round development of the State was only possible when there was equal and balanced development of all the communities in the State.
He said that the State Government was ensuring that all the people of the state get better and equal opportunities for education, health and development.Jai Ram Thakur said that during the last four years the State has witnessed a new era of progress and prosperity. He urged the non-official members to give their meaningful suggestions for mitigating the problems of other backward classes and for ensuring their development.Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sarveen Chaudhary while welcoming the Chief Minister detailed various schemes launched by the State Government for welfare of the OBC community. He said that the State Government was spending crores of Rupees for providing pension to the weaker and vulnerable sections of the society.Chief Secretary Ram Subhag Singh appealed to the members of Board that they should educate the other backward classes regarding the facilities being provided for their welfare by the State Government so that their derive full benefits of these schemes. Additional Chief Secretary Social Justice and Empowerment Sanjay Gupta presented vote of thanks. Director Social Justice and Empowerment Vivek Bhatia conducted the proceedings of the meeting.Vice Chairman Other Backward Classes Welfare Corporation O.P. Chaudhary, Additional Chief Secretaries, Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Deputy Commissioners and other officers attended the meeting.