Chasha Maha Samabesha: Union Minister Highlights Farmers’ Role in Nation Building
Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday said that the Central Government is fully committed to providing constitutionally guaranteed rights to the farming community.
Addressing the ‘State-level Chasha Maha Samabesha’ at Bamur in Angul district, Shri Pradhan said the agricultural community will play a major role in building a developed Odisha and a developed India. He stated that the conference put forward several constructive proposals focusing on constitutional rights, education, health and employment, which will positively impact society in the coming days.
He said the Chasha caste of Odisha has already been included in the Central OBC list. In addition, a letter has been written to the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr Birendra Kumar, requesting the inclusion of 108 communities recognised under the Odisha government’s SEBC list, along with other castes, sub-castes and categories, in the Central OBC list. If included, people from these communities will receive equal access to reservation benefits and welfare schemes at the national level, supporting their economic and educational development.
Shri Pradhan highlighted that under the Modi government, OBCs are receiving 15 per cent reservation in medical UG and PG seats under the All-India Quota, along with 27 per cent reservation in petrol pump allocations. He reiterated that the government remains committed to safeguarding the constitutional rights of these communities.
Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Minister said that to realise the vision of a developed Odisha and a developed India, agriculture must go beyond traditional practices and become a primary source of income. With growing global demand for organic and natural farming products, the government will create better systems to export Odisha’s vegetables and agricultural produce to international markets.
He added that the government’s objective is to place every person associated with agriculture in Odisha on a larger platform while ensuring a balance between constitutional rights and social responsibilities.
