Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly today passed a  unanimous resolution to amend the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes Act 1993 to enable the State government to make a survey of the social and educational conditions of the people belonging to the backward classes.

While moving a resolution in the House, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “We are commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. His idea of India had the empowerment of the vulnerable as the core objective of the State. As a fitting tribute to Mahatma and his ideals, it is important that the State takes up the survey of the Backward Classes.”

Worth mentioning, the State government, on February 12, formed the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes and appointed retired Justice Raghunath Biswal as its Chairperson.

Earlier, as per a decision taken by the State Cabinet on January 11, 2020, Odisha had moved the Central government to include backward class survey as part the census 2021. Even the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members from Odisha raised the issue. However, the Centre is yet to provide any response.

The Chief Minister further said in order to accelerate inclusive growth it is important to have reliable data about the backward classes of the State.

MInutes before the Chief Minister moved the resolution, the OBC Commission Amendment Bill tabled by Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Minister, Jagannath Saraka was passed in the House.