Monday, October 26, 2015

Centre dusting files on OBC reservation data

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

DoPT swings into action

Harish Gupta
New Delhi, Oct 26 : The Modi government has fast-tracked collating data with regard to representation of SCs, STs, OBCs and persons with disabilities in government jobs.

Sensing that the issue of reservations of these sections of the society has become controversial recently and may have a bearing on the outcome of Bihar elections, the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) directly under the Prime Minister has asked all ministries and department to furnish information in this regard by October 30.

A circular has been issued by the DoPT on October 20 asking the ministries and departments that they must furnish information with regard to representation of these sections within the next ten days. The information, however, was originally sought by the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). The commission told the Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of Backward Classes that it had sought the information in connection with formulation of a report on creamy layer. 

The NCBC had requested all departments/ministries through Department of Personnel & Training to provide information in a format prescribed by them. However, no information was forthcoming.

But the DoPT swung into action and directed the ministries and departments to furnish information. The parliamentary committee expressed its dissatisfaction over low representation of OBCs in Central government services and directed DoP&T to collect data sought by NCBC and submit it to the committee urgently.

However, sources in the government say that representation of these sections may not have touched the required 50 percent-mark. But it was moving in the right direction and the figure is going up.