Greeva Garg –
Published on: August 12, 2021, at 10:48 IST
With the passage of the Constitution 127 Amendment Bill, 2021 in both the houses of Parliament restoring the rights of states to draw their own backward classes lists, saw demands for a caste-based from the ruling party BJD and NDA allies demanding a caste-based census to determine the strength of socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs) and other backward classes (OBCs).
The MPs of BJD, Janata Dal, Apna Dal requested Shah to consider the proposal for insertion of appropriate columns in the Census format 2021 to get a clear picture regarding the socio-economic and educational status of SEBC, OBC, and other castes for the formulation of appropriate policy for their benefits.
A delegation of BJD MPs from both the Houses of Parliament after the passing of the Constitution Amendment Bill met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his Parliament chamber and submitted a memorandum in this regard.
The MPs in their memorandum stated, “Due to the non-availability of reliable and authentic data about the exact numbers of the SEBC and OBC it has become an impediment for taking up focused planning for the welfare of these communities.”
“It is high time that the Central government frames a legislation in this regard for benefits, welfare and all-round upliftment of the SEBC/OBC categories of population after collection of the scientific database through General Census 2021 for the establishment of compelling reasons, like, backwardness, inadequate representation, and overall administrative efficiency,” the memorandum stated.
The BJD also reiterated its demand for a caste-based census for SEBCs/OBCs and a Central Law to do away with the reservation limit of 50 per cent for the benefits, welfare and all-around upliftment of these sections of people.
Odisha Cabinet on January 11, 2020, had passed a resolution for the conduct of a Socio-Economic Caste Enumeration along with the General Census in 2021. It had also moved the Centre on the issue.
Also Read: Centre introduces 127th Constitutional (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha
