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The 3rd National Conference Of Chairpersons Of State Backward Classes Commissions is taking place here tomorrow. The Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Smt. Meira Kumar will inaugurate the day-long Conference The conference has been organised by the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) and will be presided over by its Chairperson Justice Ram Surat Singh The National Commission for Backward Classes at the Centre and State Level Backward Classes Commissions were set up consequent to the Supreme Courts judgement in Indira Sawhney and others Vs. Union of India and others. The primary function of this Commission is to examine request for inclusion of class of citizens as a Backward Class in the list of Backward Classes and hear complaints of over-inclusion and under-inclusion of the backward classes in such lists and thereupon tender advice to the Government.
Recently some of the State Governments like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have entrusted their respective Backward Classes Commissions the responsibility to look into the grievances of the backward classes and oversee the rule of reservations and its violation. The NCBC also wants that it should be empowered with similar functions and also accorded constitutional status. This is one of the main subjects of discussion at tomorrow’s Conference.
The other important issue to be discussed includes preparation of list of artisans engaged in hereditary occupation/callings for their exclusion from the purview of “creamy layer”. As per the Central government’s order dated September 8, 1993, the rule of exclusion will not apply to persons working as artisans or engaged in hereditary occupation and callings. A list of such occupations/callings was to be issued separately but till date no such list has been notified. The preparation of such lists would become easier if the State/Union Governments/Union territory Governments furnish the information to NCBC in this regard.
Other issue to be discussed at the Conference is classification of Backward Classes into categories based on the degree of backwardness and fixing the percentage of reservation for each category. This is to ensure the most backward among the backward communities/castes enjoy the benefits of reservations.
Another issue of discussion at the conference is to conduct survey of backward classes that constitute about 52 per cent of country’s total population. There is an enormous range of diversity in terms of occupations, customs and level of development. There is no reliable data to gauge changes among these communities. There has been no castes wise survey in India after 1931. The Conference is also likely to discuss educational empowerment of backward classes. The conference may also deliberate on issues pertaining to reservation for backward classes in Central Educational Institutions like IITs, IIMs, Law Universities etc.
The backward Classes have been provided 27 per cent reservation in civil posts and services under the Central Government and public sector undertakings and financial institutions since September, 1993. The first list of Backward classes was notified by the Central Government on September 10, 1993 in respect of 14 States. As on date a total number of 2278 castes/communities have been notified in respect of 26 States/Union Territories in the Central list of Backward Classes.
MLD:LK:sje-25(26.7)
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