AMN / New Delhi
President Ram Nath Kovind Monday appointed a Commission headed by Justice (Retd.) G Rohini to examine the sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
Based on the report submitted by the commission, the Central Government will consider ways and means for equitable distribution of the benefits of the reservation in Central Government jobs and admission in Central Government institutions among all strata of the OBCs.
The Commission, whose chairperson will be Justice (Retd.) Rohini, will have as Members Dr JK Bajaj, member (Ex-officio)-Director, Anthropological Survey of India and Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India and Joint Secretary, Department of SJ&E, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment as its Secretary.
The terms of reference of the Commission, set up under Article 340 of the Constitution, are to examine the extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes or communities included in the broad category of OBCs with reference to such classes included in the Central List; to work out the mechanism, criteria, norms and parameters in a scientific approach for sub-categorisation within such Other Backward Classes; and to take up the exercise of identifying the respective castes or communities or sub-castes or synonyms in the Central List of Other Backward Classes and classifying them into their respective sub-categories.
The panel is required to present its report to the President within 12 weeks of assumption of charge by the chairperson of the Commission. According to the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, today’s decision coinciding with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi ‘reinforces in the spirit of his teachings, the Government’s efforts to achieve greater social justice and inclusion for all, and specifically members of the OBCs. Sources hoped that sub categorisation of the OBCs would ensure that the more backward among the OBC communities can also access the benefits of reservation for educational institutions and government jobs.