Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urges Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi for immediate reconstitution of Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (OSCBC).

Shri Pradhan mentioned in the letter that the term of the Odisha State Backward Classes Commission expired on January 3, 2024 and as no new members have been appointed, it is currently not functional. About 216 Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) constitute a major part of the population of Odisha State and reside in the entire state of Odisha. As the Commission is not functional, the people of this category are facing multiple challenges in getting the benefits of education, employment and welfare schemes. They are deprived of a constitutional platform to present their problems.The OSCBC has a key role in including new castes in the SEBC list, redressing grievances and providing policy advice to the government for the backward classes. As per the Odisha State Backward Classes Commission (Amendment) Act, 2020, the Commission has also been given the responsibility of conducting a survey on the social and educational status of the backward classes. Therefore, the early reconstitution of the Commission is essential to establish social justice in the state and fulfill the aspirations of the backward classes. Keeping in mind the interests of the backward classes of the state, the Chief Minister has requested Shri Pradhan to personally intervene in this and reconstitute the Commission.