Phule's name proposed for Bharat Ratna award

MUMBAI: The state government has recommended names of Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule for the Bharat Ratna to the Centre, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday. It is being seen as the BJP’s efforts to woo the OBC vote bank.

Mr Fadnavis inaugurated the 3rd National Convention of Rashtriya OBC Mahasangh at NSCI on Tuesday.

The convention was attended by energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Mahara-shtra Congress president and Nanded MP Ashok Chavan and other MLAs.   

Mr Fadnavis said that in order to provide employment opportunities and assist the OBC youth, the state would give Rs 500 crore to the OBC corporation in the next two budgets. The government would come up with a time-bound programme to fill the reserved quota for empl-oyment if the reserved quota is not filled.

Recounting government’s work for the OBC, Mr Fadnavis said that they have set up a separate ministry for OBCs in Maharashtra. The state as well as the Centre is doing their best for the OBC people.

“I am happy that after 70 years of struggle, our Parliament has passed a bill to provide constitutional status to national backward classes commission,” he added.

The government would come up with the details of representation in employment under the OBC quota. If the OBC quota is not filled, the government would prepare a time-bound programme for filling the reserved vacancies. “We are committed to providing employment to OBCs as per the quota given in the reservation,” the chief minister said.