Dattatreya lauds Cabinet's approval on new OBC commission

Union Labour and Employment Minister Bandaru Dattatreya on Friday while appreciating the initiative of the Union Cabinet to establish a constitutional commission for the upliftment of the backward classes said that the demand was pending from long time and it is good that now some steps have been taken on it.

"Like the SC and ST Commissions have the constitutional validity, this Backward Class Commission should also be provided the constitutional validity. This demand is there since long ago. When I was the president of the Backward Classes Parliamentary Committee, I have taken the issue of establishment of a commission to the notice of the Union government for several times," said Dattatreya.

He also expressed his happiness and profusely thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking such a decision to establish the commission.

"It is a very good development that the Union Cabinet has agreed to amend Article 338 B to accord constitutional status to this commission as it is meant to uplift the Backward Classes," he said.

This Amendment Bill would be taken to the Parliament as well and ensure statutory status.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Cabinet has approved setting up of a new commission for backward classes as a constitutional body. The National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (NCSBC) will replace the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).