Commission on OBC sub-categorisation gets extension

The Union Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved an extension till April 2, 2018 for a commission set up to examine sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

"The extension of tenure will enable the commission to submit a comprehensive report on the issue of sub-categorisation of OBCs, after consultation with various stakeholders," a Cabinet release said.

The commission was constituted under article 340 of the Constitution in October this year and was supposed to submit its report within 12 weeks from the assumption of charge by the Chairperson.

The commission, headed by Justice G. Rohini (retd), commenced functioning on October 11 and has since interacted with all the states and Union Territories having reservation for OBCs, and the state backward classes commissions.

It has requisitioned data from 197 higher education institutions regarding admission of OBCs to higher education courses during the last three years.

Besides, the panel has also sought data regarding recruitment of OBC persons in government jobs during the last three years in order to determine the inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes or communities included in the Central List of Other Backward Classes.

"Keeping in view the voluminous data involved and the time required for its analysis to prepare a comprehensive report, the commission had sought extension of its term by 12 weeks," the note said.

--IANS

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