Bill to grant NCBC constitutional status to be re-introduced in Lok Sabha

The Bill proposes to bring NCBC, established in 1993, on a par with the National Commission for SCs and the National Commission for STs

Bringing on a par 

The 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill for constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) will be re-tabled in the Lok Sabha this week. The Bill proposes to bring NCBC, established in 1993, on a par with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. 

Though the legislation was passed by the Lok Sabha, it met a roadblock in the Rajya Sabha when, taking advantage of a lack of quorum, the opposition brought an amendment which expanded the three-member commission to five, to give representation to a woman and a person from a minority community, and mandated that all five should necessarily be from Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Another amendment was in giving states a significant role in making recommendations to the OBC list. This Bill will also be re-tabled this week.

Curbing corruption  

The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill that will make giving a bribe an offence but modifying the definition of taking a bribe is likely to be discussed and passed by Parliament this week. The changes in the law come in the context of the conviction of former coal secretary H C Gupta by a court. The amendment makes mandatory, prior a sanction to investigate officials.