Ruckus in RS over new backward panel

THE NEW COMMISSION, WHICH REPLACES THE NCBC, WILL EXAMINE REQUESTS FOR INCLUSION OF ANY CLASS OF CITIZENS AS A BACKWARD CLASS, AMONG OTHER THINGS

Opposition’s protest against the government’s plan to create a constitutional body for the backward classes led to disruptions and adjournment in Rajya Sabha on Friday.

Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav alleged that replacing the current backward classes commission NCBC is “a huge conspiracy”.

“Today, the backward communities are feeling cheated,” Yadav said.

The Union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had approved the formation of National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (NCSEBC), which will be a constitutional body. The new commission, which replaces the NCBC, will examine requests for inclusion of any class of citizens as a backward class, among other things.

Yadav took indirect potshots at the RSS and said, “The place from where they (the BJP) are guided, people there have said many times that reservation should go.” Many other Opposition MPS also stood up and protested against the move.

Union social justice minister Thawar Chand Gehlot repeatedly assured the House that the Prime Minister had time and again maintained that reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and backward castes will continue.

“We are supportive of reservation from the Jan Sangh days,” Gehlot said.

The Opposition members refused to listen to Gehlot and continued to disrupt the House, forcing deputy chairman PJ Kurien to adjourn it for 10 minutes.

Labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya later said, the cabinet’s decision is aimed to uplift the Backward Classes and “it’s a very good news”.