ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Feb 15: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) today staged a peaceful dharna here at Tennis Court to protest against the BJP-led central government’s attempt to sabotage the rights of STs, SCs, OBCs and other communities through abolition of reservation in jobs and promotions.
Hundreds of Congress workers including State President APCC, Nabam Tuki, former Home Minister J Wanglet, senior and youth leaders participated in the dharna. 
Addressing the reporters, APCC President stated that central government is trying to sabotage the existing rights of the STs and other communities by bringing a new law, keeping a Supreme Court order in front. Terming it a serious issue and mentioning that at least 20 to 25% of the national population is comprised of ST/SC communities, Tuki asserted that the decision will adversely affect these communities especially the whole of Northeast, adding that instead of giving developmental packages, Modi government is trying to suppress the deprived communities.
When asked about BJP’s claim that the said petition in Supreme Court was made by the then Congress government in 2012, Tuki categorically termed it as baseless and just a mere excuse on the part of the ruling dispensation to blame the grand-old party of the country. “Though there was Congress government then, the petition was filed by some other people and now there is the BJP government who is supporting the petition in the apex court,” he responded.
“We will fight tooth & nail against the obnoxious attempt to curb the rights of ST/SC communities by the central government and will call support from the whole of Northeast including the MPs and if needed, Congress will file a review petition against the directives,” APCC President reiterated. 
Further, he also highlighted that earlier, the state governments especially having ST/SC majority were getting special funds under Special Plan Assistance, Special Central Assistance but now these have been stopped. 

APCC is going to submit a representation to the President of India through the Governor for his intervention on protection of the rights of ST, SC and OBC communities, Tuki informed.
Since NEFA days under Nehru’s leadership, Congress government(s) had given special privileges to the STs, SCs and OBCs and they provided us with education, jobs and other facilities to ensure equal opportunities in development, but now the BJP government is planning to  curtail all such opportunities, former Home Minister  Wanglet commented.
Recently, the Supreme Court has ruled that there is no fundamental right to reservations in appointments and promotions under Articles 16(4) and 16(4A) of the Constitution and it is the discretion of the governments, either at the state or central level to grant reservation in promotions.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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