Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi to reconstitute the OSCBC to address issues faced by SEBC communities
OdishaPlus Bureau
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has addressed a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, requesting his direct involvement for the prompt reconstitution of the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (OSCBC), which has been inactive since the conclusion of its term on January 3, 2024. In his correspondence dated Monday, Pradhan emphasized that the OSCBC has become functus officio due to the lack of appointed members, leading to the absence of a statutory framework to tackle the issues faced by Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) communities within the state.
Additionally, he highlighted that Odisha is home to 216 SEBC communities, which represent a significant segment of the state’s population. The Union Minister pointed out that these communities continue to encounter difficulties in obtaining fair access to educational, employment, and welfare opportunities. Without a functioning Commission, they are left without a formal avenue to voice their grievances and seek resolution, he remarked.
Pradhan stressed the vital importance of the OSCBC in reviewing requests for the inclusion of communities in the SEBC list, addressing complaints, and providing guidance to the government on policy issues. He also referenced the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (Amendment) Act, 2020, which mandates the Commission to conduct surveys regarding the social and educational conditions of backward class communities, as determined by the state government.
“In light of the aforementioned points, I urge your personal intervention for the swift reconstitution of the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes, which will not only uphold the principles of social justice but also meet the aspirations of the state’s backward communities,” Pradhan articulated in the letter. The Union Minister expressed optimism that prompt action would guarantee the statutory functions of the Commission.