Setback to Mamata govt, court cancels OBC certificates issued after 2011

CALCUTTA: In a blow to Mamata-led government, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday cancelled the OBC certificates issued after 2011 in West Bengal. The judgment of the court is on public interest petitions challenging the provisions of the Act. Meanwhile, the division bench comprising justices Tapabrata Chakraborty and Rajashekhar Mantha clarified that the order does not apply to

those with OBC certificates who are are already in service, or have availed the benefit of reservation or succeeded in any selection process of the state.

The court order also said that the state government's executive orders classifying 66 OBC categories prior to 2011 had not been interfered with.

The Trinamool government led by Mamata Banerjee came to power in Bengal in 2011. So the order will be applicable to all OBC certificates issued under the Trinamool government. At the same time, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that she will not accept the order and alleged a BJP conspiracy behind it.

“I heard a judge passed an order, who has been famous. PM has been talking about how minorities will snatch away Tapashili reservation. How can this ever happen? It would lead to Constitutional breakdown. Minorities can never touch the Tapashili or Adivasi reservation. But these mischievous people (BJP) get their work done through agencies," she said

“They got an order passed today but I don’t accept it. When 26,000 people lost their jobs because of the BJP, I had said that I would not accept it. Similarly, I am telling today, I do not accept the order today. We won’t accept BJP’s order. OBC reservation will continue. Imagine their audacity. This is a kalankit chapter in the country,” she added.

The court had directed the State Backward Classes Welfare Department to consult with the National Backward Classes Commission and submit a report to the Legislative Assembly with recommendations to include the new categories in the state list of OBCs and exclude the rest.