NEW DELHI: Acceding to the demands for granting the Constitutional status for the National Commission for Other Backward Castes (OBCs), the Union Cabinet in its meeting presided over by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday has given its nod to the proposal for constitutional of such a body for which the Centre will seek the Parliamentary approval.
“The Cabinet has approved creation of a National Commisison for socially and educationally backward classes under the new article 338B, besides inserting a new provision through an article 342A to provide for Parliament’s approval for every inclusion into and exclusion from the Central List of OBCs. The Cabinet has also approved insertion of a new clause (26C) under Article 366 to define socially and educationally backward classes,” said a senior official.
The move is being seen as a step to address to the growing demands from various caste groups for inclusion in the OBC list on the back of Patidar and Jat agitation in Gujarat and Haryana respectively.
Consequent to the Cabinet approval, the existing National Commission for backward classes along with the law backing it would be dissolved, added the official. The people had long been demanding that there should be a body on the lines of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The government said that it would move a legislative proposal in the Parliament soon to constitute the commission of five members, including the chairperson and his deputy, besides three other members.