Govt gives nod for amending central list of OBCs

New Delhi, Nov 16: People belonging to more than four dozen castes in around 20 states will receive benefits of reservation in jobs and education with the Union Cabinet today (Nov 16) giving its nod to a national panel's recommendation for amending the central list of OBCs.

Sources said the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) had sent recommendations for inclusion of more than 70 castes in around 20 states and UTs including poll- bound Uttarakhand and Goa, where elections are due next year.

The Cabinet today gave its approval for notifying changes in the existing central list of the OBCs, the official sources said. The notification in this regard by the Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment is likely shortly, which will enable people belonging to these caste and communities to avail the benefits of reservation in central government services and posts, the sources said.

After inclusion, they will also be able avail benefits being given to the OBCs in admissions in central educational institutions. Under the current reservation policy, the government has earmarked 27 percent reservation for OBCs in jobs and education. The list is revised from time to time depending upon the demand from various states and other requirements.

"NCBC advised the central government for amendment in the central list of OBCs for states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, West Bengal and Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar, Chandigarh, Delhi and Puducherry.

"Accordingly, the ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment would make amendments in the central list of OBCs in respect to these states and UTs," a government release said.

PTI