SHIMLA -3 September, 2026-The 13th meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Other Backward Classes (OBC) Welfare Board was held here today under the chairmanship of Health and Family Welfare and Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil.

Addressing the meeting, Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil said that Congress governments at the national and state levels have always remained committed to protecting the interests of the OBC. He said that reservation in panchayati raj institutions, urban local bodies and municipal corporations was introduced during the tenure of Congress governments. He added that necessary improvements in the system would be made in the future as required.

The Minister said that the welfare-oriented policies and sensitive governance measures of successive Congress governments have resulted in the continued support of the OBC community. He said that Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was fully committed to the welfare of the OBC community. Under his visionary leadership, the state government has provided all possible assistance over the past four years to strengthen the sectors of health and social justice.

Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil said that the state government has launched several schemes for the welfare of the OBC. Besides, various ambitious schemes, including the Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana, Dr. Y.S. Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojana and Indira Gandhi Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana, were being implemented for the welfare of the people, benefiting all sections of society equally.

He also assured the members that necessary steps would be taken regarding the issue of obtaining an OBC certificate every year. He said that the various demands and suggestions placed before the meeting would be considered sympathetically.

Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani said that reservation in the three-tier system was introduced during the tenure of Congress governments. He said that 33 per cent reservation for women was introduced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

He further said that the state government would consider providing reservation in technical education institutions to people belonging to communities associated with traditional skills, particularly those engaged in temple construction.

Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Secretary Social Justice and Empowerment C.P. Verma, Director, ESOMSA Sumit Khimta, members of the OBC Welfare Board, senior officers and other dignitaries were also present at the meeting.

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