July 6, 2012
Today is a historic day for West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee
Kolkata: A Bill was passed in the West Bengal Assembly today that will provide 17 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes, other that SC/ST, in two categories.
Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee said that that the passing of the West Bengal Backward Classes (other than SC and ST) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Bill, 2012 in the house was historic and had been drafted very carefully and took almost a year.
Making a passing reference to the Singur legislation, Chief Minister said `Singur is not a hasty and a wrong decision. We will show that all promises made in the manifesto are fulfilled.`
Stating that West Bengal has the highest Muslim population in the country, she said that the legislation would provide opportunity to the minorities for getting employment in State Government service.
The Chief Minister also asked Higher Education minister to take initiative for providing higher education to the minorities.
The Assembly also passed The West Bengal Panchayat Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2012, by virtue of which seats would be reserved for women and other weaker sections of the society.
Excerpts from Mamata Banerjee's official Facebook page (Dated July 6, 2012):
Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee on her official page on social networking site Facebook wrote, `Today is a historic day for West Bengal. The Legislative Assembly has passed Bills for setting up of three new universities in West Bengal.
A new state-aided university named Kazi Nazrul University will be set up at Asansol. Another new state-aided university (PBU) will be set up at Cooch Behar.
A new private university `Techno India University will be set up with campus at Salt Lake and Joka, 24-Parganas (South). Roads are now open for private-sector universities to impart education.
The three new universities will provide ample opportunities for the young generation to avail management, engineering and professional education in the State, instead of migrating to other states.
Another landmark Bill passed by the Assembly today is the West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Sports) Bill, 2012. This Bill will enable maximum numbers (86 categories) of Muslim brothers and sisters amongst the OBC s (17%) to avail facilities of reservation in employment. It will bring a new era in the development and upliftment of Muslim brothers and sisters. A policy decision has also being taken to provide similar facilities for them in education.
West Bengal Legislative Assembly has also passed the West Bengal Panchayat Election Bill, 2012 which provides 50% reservation for women, in elections. We salute the women and stand for our solidarity with the mothers and sisters of Bengal`.
