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“Puducherry considering welfare measures for economically backward”

— Photo: T.Singaravelou

LAUDING THE GOVERNMENT: Chairman of National Commission for Economically Backward Classes S.R. Sinho (second from left), at an official meeting in Puducherry on Saturday.

PUDUCHERRY: The Puducherry government was in favour of welfare measures for the economically backward classes but would arrive at a decision after convening a Cabinet meeting, the Chairman of National Commission for Economically Backward Classes, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, S.R. Sinho, said on Saturday.

Talking to reporters after a meeting with NGOs, he said the Puducherry government was concerned about the economically backward.

“The Chief Minister will hold a Cabinet meeting and send the recommendations to the Commission. The government has already adopted a number of welfare schemes for the people and is doing very well, especially in education,” he said.

Elaborating the functions of the Commission, he said it would study the status of classes not covered by the existing reservation policy.

“We need to consult the State governments on who should be identified as economically backward in the general section. We need to set the criteria for identification of economically backward classes, to recommend quantum of reservation in education and government employment, adoption of welfare measures and look into the constitutional legalities which may arise,” Mr. Sinho said.

Already, the Commission had visited 12 States, including Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Goa.

“Most of the States have conceptually agreed that there have to be some welfare measures for people who are economically backward,” he said.

“Tamil Nadu was not in favour of any reservation as 69 per cent reservation was already in place.

The reservation in States should not exceed 50 per cent and a petition in this regard is pending before the Supreme Court.

If it is in favour of Tamil Nadu, then the 69 per cent reservation can continue, or else the State has to go back to 50 per cent,” he added.

Meanwhile, Kerala had categorically said no to reservation, especially in service, and preferred only welfare measures.

Both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh had recommended 14 per cent reservation for this category, he said.

The Commission would submit its report in the middle of next year, Mr. Sinho said, adding that they had met the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, officiating Chief Secretary and members of NGOs here.

After Puducherry, the Commission would visit Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.

In a memorandum submitted to the Commission, the Struggle Committee for Social Justice said the idea of economically backward class was not required and requirements, demands of the classes could be met by introducing new schemes catering to their needs.

Similarly, the Social Justice Forum opposed the formation of the Commission and said that the economic criteria prescribed for identifying creamy layer in OBC should be followed for open general category only.

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