Cabinet approves setting up of National Commission for Socially and Educationally backward classes

The Union Cabinet approved setting up of National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (NSEBC) as a constitutional body.
In this regard, constitutional amendment bill for amending Constitution mainly by insertion of Article 338B will be soon introduced in the Parliament.

Union Cabinet has approved

• Creation of a National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (NSEBC) under new Article 338 B.
• Composition of the new NSEBC will include Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and three other Members.
• Insertion of provision after Article 341 and 342 by inserting Article 342 A to provide for Parliament’s approval for every inclusion into and exclusion from the Central List of Other Backward Class (OBCs).
• Insertion of a new Clause (26C) under Article 366 of the Constitution to define Socially and Educationally Backward Classes;
• Repealing of National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993 and Rules framed under it. Dissolution of the Commission constituted under the Act of 1993;

Background

There have been demands in Parliament for grant of constitutional status to the NCBC to enable it to hear the grievances of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the same manner like that of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (constituted under Article 338) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (constituted under Article 338A) hear complaint.

About National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)

• NCBC was established in pursuance to the Supreme Court judgement in the Indra Sawhney case (Mandal case) as per the NCBC Act, 1993.
• Function of NCBC: Examine requests for inclusion of any class of citizens as a backward class in the lists.
• Hear complaints of under-inclusion or over-inclusion of any backward class in such lists.
• Tender such advice to the Central Government as it deems appropriate.
• Its advice was ordinarily binding upon the Central Government.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2017