GS Paper 2:
Syllabus: Important aspects of governance, issues related to the development of the social sector etc
Context:
- Several parties have been pushing for a nationwide ‘caste census’ to enumerate the Socially Economically Backward Classes and OBCs.
- The caste-based parties argue that although the Mandal Commission estimated the OBC population at 52%, in the absence of reliable data, the backward classes are losing out on welfare schemes and programmes meant for them.
- The decennial census is conducted by the Census Commissioner of India under the Census of India Act, 1948.
Key Highlights:
- The state does not have the power to conduct a censu
- The states can collect data or headcount of the population for the implementation of welfare schemes or other purposes.
- This may be done either under existing state legislation and rules or new legislation may be enacted under item 45 of List III (Concurrent List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution for socio-economic development of the state.”
- The central government accepted recommendations to use the Socio-Economic Caste Census in 2017:
- It will help in the identification of beneficiaries and transferring of funds for social schemes.
- It aims to bring out the unseen aspects of caste groups and their share in resources.
Sub-categorisation of OBCs:
- OBCs are granted 27% reservation in jobs and education under the central government.
- The argument for sub-categorisation or creating categories within OBCs for reservation is that it would ensure “equitable distribution” of representation among all OBC communities.
- Rohini Commission was constituted on October 2, 2017.
- Before the Rohini Commission was set up, the Centre had granted constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).
Rohini Commission’s terms of reference:
- 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 OBCs.
- To take up the exercise of identifying the respective castes or communities or sub-castes or synonyms in the Central List of OBCs and classifying them into their respective sub-categories.
To study the various entries in the Central List of OBCs and recommend correction of any repetitions, ambiguities, inconsistencies and errors of spelling or transcription.
Insta Links:
National Commission for Backward Classes
Practice Questions:
Q. Sub-categorization of Backward classes is needed in India for more inclusive and affirmative action. Discuss. (10M)
Q. With reference to National Commission for Backward Classes(NCBCs), consider the following statements:
- The constitution provides that the President, in consultation with the governor, would specify the socially and educationally backward classes.
- The NCBC presents an annual report to the Parliament.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (a)
Justification:
- Article 342A says that the president, in consultation with the governor, would specify the socially and educationally backward classes.
- The NCBC will be required to present annual reports to the President on working of the safeguards for backward classes.
These reports will be tabled in Parliament, and in the state legislative assemblies of the concerned states.
