Union Cabinet nod for term extension of OBC panel

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved extension of term of the commission set up to examine the sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes. It gave the panel 12 more weeks.

"The Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the extension of term.... up to April 2, 2018," an official release said.

The extension of tenure will enable the Commission to submit "a comprehensive report" on the issue of sub-categorisation of OBCs after consultation with various stakeholders, the government added.

The Commission was constituted under Article 340 of the Constitution with the approval of the President on October 2.

"It was then stipulated that it would submit its report within 12 weeks from the assumption of charge by Chairperson Justice (retd) G Rohini," the government said.

The Commission commenced functioning from October 11.

"It has since then interacted with all the States/UTs having reservation for OBCs as well as the State Backward Class Commissions," the government said.

OBCs in govt jobs

The Commission has requisitioned data from 197 higher education institutions regarding admission of OBC students in last three years.

It has also sought data on recruitment of OBC candidates in the Government sector over last three years with a view to determine the inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes and communities included in the Central List of OBCs.

"In view of the voluminous data involved and the time required for its analysis to prepare a comprehensive report, the Commission had sought extension of its term by 12 weeks," the government added.