Port Blair, July 26: The Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray yesterday met Shri Amit Shah, Hon’ble Home Minister, GOI, New Delhi and submitted a letter with prayers for SEBC categorization, conduct of Socio and Economic survey in the isles, for inclusion of left out category people in OBC category and for population based proportionate representation in reservation so that all groups within the OBC are provided equal opportunity for upliftment.

Ray pointed in his letter that various categories of persons / groups permanently residing in the Islands have been identified and notified in the mid-2000. This category of people essentially come within the meaning and definition of ‘Socially and Economically Backward Classes’ (SEBC) living in the isles, which is commonly referred to as OBC category.

Ever since the time of composition of OBCs in the Islands, demands have emerged for inclusion of more groups in the Islands under the said category such as Ex-Servicemen Settlers/ Sri Lankan Tamil Settlers/ Malayali settlers/ Ranchi Settlers etc.

Moreover, there have been demands for population based proportionate representation in reservation including that in jobs, so that all groups within the OBC are provided equal opportunity for upliftment.

In addition, as per the Census of 2011 only 1.6% or so population in Urban area and 24% population in rural area (mostly under Nicobar District) i.e. total approx. 16 % of population of Islands are covered under Food Security (i.e. only 12000 odd families or 60000 odd persons).

As a result, only miniscule populations of the Islands are getting benefitted under the free ration scheme announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Similarly, this faulty survey stands as stumbling block in identifying beneficiaries for a large number of schemes announced by the Modi Government.

A Socio Economic Survey tailored for the isles will help in correctly identifying beneficiaries under various schemes of the Government, the MP mentioned.