The Union Cabinet recently approved a six-month extension, until 31st January 2021, to the commission appointed to examine the sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
About the Commission
The commission is headed by Justice (Retd.) G Rohini and was constituted under Article 340 of the Constitution with Presidential approval on 2nd October 2017. Article 340 pertains to the appointing of a commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes.
The commission’s primary remit is to complete the task of sub-categorising 5000-odd castes in the central OBC list. This initiative aims to ensure a more equitable distribution of opportunities in central government jobs and educational institutions. In 2015, NCBC suggested that OBCs should be divided into three categories: extremely backward classes, more backward classes, and backward classes.
OBC Reservation Status Quo
Over the years, the benefits of the reservation in OBCs have been largely cornered by the dominant OBC groups, leading to a need to recognise sub-quotas for the extremely backward classes within the OBCs.The NCBC has the authority to examine complaints and welfare measures regarding socially and educationally backward classes.
Mandate and Work Done
The mandate of the commission includes examining the uneven distribution of reservation benefits among different castes in the central OBC list, work out mechanism and parameters for sub-categorisation of OBCs, and submit a comprehensive report after consultation with various stakeholders. The commission has met representatives of state governments, state backward classes commissions, community associations, among others.
Funding
The administration costs associated with the commission will continue to be borne by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Reason for Extension
The extension was necessitated due to the need for more time to clear repetitions, ambiguities, inconsistencies, and errors of spelling or transcription in the existing Central List of OBCs. The nationwide lockdown and travel restrictions due to COVID-19 also affected the commission’s performance.
Potential Outcomes
The commission may make recommendations that will benefit the communities in the existing list of OBCs who have not been able to gain any significant advantage from the OBCs reservation scheme for appointment in central government posts and admission in central government educational institutions.
OBC Reservation History
The Kalelkar Commission, established in 1953, was the first to identify backward classes other than the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) at the national level. The Mandal Commission Report, 1980 estimated the OBC population at 52% and identified 1,257 communities as backward. It was this report that led to the central government reserving 27% of seats in union civil posts and services for OBCs. The Supreme Court directed the central government to exclude the creamy layer (advanced sections) among the OBCs in 2008. The 102nd Constitution Amendment Act, 2018 provided constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).