MARGAO
With the High Court clearing the air of uncertainty whether a Christian carpenter falls in the OBC category by declaring void the OBC caste certificate issued to Aam Admi Party (AAP) Benaulim ZP member, Hanzel Fernandes, the focus of attention has now shifted on the Administrative Tribunal hearing the disqualification petition filed by Congress candidate Royla Fernandes.
Royla’s disqualification petition is scheduled to come up before the Administrative Tribunal in October and the Congress candidate has informed that she would submit the High Court order declaring Hanzel’s OBC caste certificate null and void before the Tribunal.
Royla’s petition seeks the disqualification of the AAP Benaulim ZP member on the plea that he does not come under the OBC category. She has also petitioned before the Administrative Tribunal to declare her elected as the Benaulim ZP member after Hanzel’s disqualification.
Commenting on the High Court Judgement, Royla pointed out that she would draw attention of the Administrative Tribunal to the High Court setting aside the OBC caste certificate issued to Hanzel stating that he belongs to the Christian Carpenter category. “I have no issue if my Christian carpenter brothers get the OBC status so that all the carpenters, and not just one, are bestowed with the status”, she said.
In fact, Royla said she would be more than happy if the Christian carpenters, who are not notified in the OBC list, are included in the category.
She added: “As far as the High Court judgement is concerned, it has vindicated my stand that the AAP ZP member does not come under the OBC status. I feel justice is being done to me”.
