Governance
Panel to Examine OBC Sub-Categorisation Seeks Third Extension
- 01 Aug 2018
- 3 min read
The commission set up to examine the sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBC) has sought a third extension till November 2018 for submission of the crucial report on creating quotas within quotas.
- In 2017, the five-member panel had been constituted to complete the task of sub-categorising 5000-odd castes in the central OBC list so as to ensure “more equitable distribution” of opportunities in central government jobs and educational institutions.
- The Commission was set up under Article 340 of the Constitution.
- The Commission has already sought and was granted extensions twice citing the ‘voluminous’ nature of its task.
- With the benefits of the reservation being cornered mostly by the dominant OBC groups over the years, the sub-categorisation panel report is expected to recommend sub-quotas for the extremely backward classes within the OBCs.
- In 2015, the National Commission for Backward Classes had recommended that OBCs be categorised into extremely backward classes, more backward classes and backward classes.
- At present, eleven states have sub-categorised OBCs for their state services. The central government has also been following a similar methodology for the central OBC list.
Note:
- Article 340: Appointment of a Commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes.
- 340. (1) The President may by order appoint a Commission consisting of such persons as he thinks fit to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes within the territory of India and the difficulties under which they labour and to make recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by the Union or any State to remove such difficulties and to improve their condition and as to the grants that should be made for the purpose by the Union or any State and the conditions subject to which such grants should be made, and the order appointing such Commission shall define the procedure to be followed by the Commission.
- 340. (2) A Commission so appointed shall investigate the matters referred to them and present to the President a report setting out the facts as found by them and making such recommendations as they think proper.
- 340. (3) The President shall cause a copy of the report so presented together with a memorandum explaining the action taken thereon to be laid before each House of Parliament.
