West Bengal to reserve 10 pc jobs for backward Muslims

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Ten percent jobs would be reserved for Muslims who are socially, economically and educationally backward under the OBC (Other Backward Class) category, taking the OBC quota to 17 from existing 7, said Bhattacharjee at state secretariat Writers' Buildings.

He said the move is not on the basis of religion but the backwardness among the Muslims.

The chief minister's announcement came amidst the recommendations of the Justice Ranganathan Mishra report on jobs for the minority and the status of religious and linguistic minorities in the country as a whole.

The Left Front government in West Bengal also lost much of its support among the minorities on various issues while their political rival Trinamool Congress gained grounds in the community.

He said the job reservation will, however, exclude the creamy layer in the Muslims or those whose annual income is above Rs 4.5 lakh.

Bhattacharjee said the government would begin survey with the help of Minority Commission and other bodies in the state.

The Muslim population of West Bengal is nearly 25 percent.

--IBNS