Cabinet decision: Odisha to include 22 castes in SEBC list

Bhubaneswar: The state government will promulgate an ordinance for amendment of Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (OSCBC) Act, 1993 for inclusion of 22 castes/communities, which have already been notified as OBCs by the Centre, in the list of SEBCs.

The Odisha Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today approved a proposal in this regard.

As per the proposal, the ordinance would be promulgated to amend the OSCBC Act, 1993 by inserting subsection 3 under Section 9 enabling the state government to include 22 backward classes in the list of SEBCs.

At present, as many as 22 castes/communities along with their synonyms have been notified by the Centre as OBCs in Odisha. But, these castes have not been included in the list of SEBCs in the state, said an official.

In view of the social and educational backwardness of these 22 castes/communities along with their synonyms, they are required to be included in the list of SEBCs for Odisha for extending all social welfare measures and benefits to them, he added.

Article 15(4) of the Constitution of India enables the state to make any special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens. Further, Article 46 of the Constitution provides that the state shall promote, with special care, the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.