Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has made an urgent appeal to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, pressing for the swift reconstitution of the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (OSCBC). The commission has remained non-functional for nearly a year, following the expiration of its members' tenure on January 3, 2024.
A Critical Gap in Representation and Redressal
In a formal letter to the Chief Minister, Pradhan highlighted the pressing need for the panel's revival. He pointed out that Odisha is home to 216 socially and educationally backward classes (SEBC) communities, which constitute a significant part of the state's demographic. These groups continue to encounter substantial hurdles in securing fair access to education, employment, and government welfare initiatives.
"In the absence of a functioning commission, these communities are deprived of a statutory platform to voice their concerns and seek redressal for their legitimate issues," Pradhan stated. He emphasized the OSCBC's vital role in examining requests for inclusion in the SEBC list, addressing grievances, and offering policy advice to the state government.
Empowered Role and Current Vacancy
The commission's mandate was strengthened by The Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (Amendment) Act, 2020. This legislation empowers the body to conduct detailed surveys on the social and educational conditions of backward class communities as identified by the state.
The OSCBC is typically composed of a chairperson, a social scientist, two persons from backward classes with special knowledge in related matters, and a member secretary. Each member serves a tenure of three years. Among its key functions are examining the inclusion of any class of citizens as a backward class, hearing complaints about over-inclusion or under-inclusion in such lists, and advising the government accordingly.
An Appeal for Immediate Action
Pradhan's call for "personal intervention" from CM Majhi comes at a pivotal juncture for the state's social justice framework. "I request your personal intervention to ensure the early reconstitution of the commission, which is crucial for the welfare and development of these communities," the Union Minister wrote.
An official from the STSC development department echoed the sentiment, noting that this appeal arrives at a critical time as Odisha strives to tackle the long-standing challenges faced by its backward classes and integrate them more fully into the state's socio-economic progress.
The prolonged inactivity of the OSCBC leaves a major gap in the mechanism designed to advocate for and protect the interests of millions belonging to Odisha's backward communities, making its revival a matter of urgent administrative and social priority.
