Karnataka already has in place sub-categorisation of OBCs

The Centre on Wednesday might have decided to set up a panel to examine the sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), but Karnataka sub-categorised OBCs years ago.

Karnataka is among the few states to have sub-categorised OBCs. Other states include Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Over a period of time, successive governments and backward classes commissions in Karnataka have recommended inclusion of different communities in the reservation list. It was in 1995, during H D Deve Gowda’s tenure as chief minister, a Cabinet sub-committee classified communities under category 1, 2A, 2B (Muslims), 3A and 3B. The government issued an order fixing reservation and it holds good even today. (see box)

“Sub-categorisation of OBCs is a welcome step as it ensures that the most deprived communities get the maximum benefit of reservation. Karnataka has already such a system in place for reservation both in education as well as employment,” Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes chairman H Kantharaj told this paper.

Kantharaj said it is up to the Centre to take up sub-categorisation of OBCs in Karnataka. “If it takes it up, then it should match the already existing classification in the state. If the Centre’s classification is different, then a reason should be given,” he said.

He said there are Supreme Court judgements that have upheld categorisation of OBCs for availing benefits of reservation. Kantharaj said categorisation of OBCs should be not arbitrary and done based on scientific data which include caste particulars and socio and economic parameters.

In Karnataka a socio-economic survey (also known as caste census) has been conducted by the State Commission for Backward Classes but the results are yet to be made public.