The Rajasthan government has yet to supply the 'complete' and 'accurate' population data necessary to finalize reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in panchayat wards, according to a source in the OBC Commission (political representation).
The source indicated that the government is still compiling the data requested by the commission, which has delayed the process of determining OBC reservation in panchayat wards.
The state government recently extended the commission's tenure until September 30 after it failed to complete the reservation exercise by the earlier March 31 deadline.
The delay in finalizing OBC reservations was also cited by the government before the Rajasthan High Court while seeking additional time for conducting panchayat and urban local body elections.
The commission had earlier written to Chief Secretary V Srinivas, stating that the total population and backward class population data of panchayats provided to it were 'incomplete' and 'inaccurate'. It also repeatedly flagged the issue with the Panchayati Raj Department.
According to the commission, backward-class population data supplied by the Janadhaar Authority contained 'serious discrepancies', making it difficult to determine OBC reservations in panchayat wards. The panel urged the government to direct all district collectors to furnish accurate and complete information to facilitate the reservation exercise.
The commission also pointed out inconsistencies in records linked to the Rajasthan State Commission for Backward Classes regarding panchayat-wise Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservations. It said clear panchayat-level population data, along with the required SC/ST reservation details, had not been properly furnished.
Highlighting anomalies, the commission noted that in 403 gram panchayats, both the total population and the OBC population were recorded as zero. In 118 panchayats, the total population was shown as 1-500, while in 266 panchayats it was recorded as 501-1,000.
These figures contradict Panchayati Raj Department guidelines, which mandate that gram panchayats should have a population of more than 1,200. The commission said the discrepancies reflected an incomplete and inaccurate database and asked the Janadhaar Authority to rectify the errors.
