NCBC says include 7 Maharashtra castes in central OBC list

• National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) Wednesday recommended the inclusion of seven castes and sub-castes from the state in the Central list of Other Backward Classes (OBC).

Highlights:

• The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has recommended the inclusion of seven castes and sub-castes from the state into the Central list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
• These castes, already part of the state's OBC list, will now be eligible for central benefits such as reservations in government jobs, educational institutions, and scholarships.

Recommended Castes for Inclusion

• The castes recommended for inclusion are:
• Lodh, Lodha, Lodhi
• Suryavanshi Gujar, Leve Gujar, Reve Gujar, Reva Gujar
• Dangari, Bhoyar, Pawar, Kapewar, Munnar Kapewar, Munnar Kapu
• Telanga, Telangi, Pentarreddy, Bukekari
• The Bhoyar, Powar, and Pawar castes, already in the Central list as Powar Bhoyar Pawar, had requested separate recognition, which was approved by the NCBC.

Background of the Decision:

• The proposal was initiated by the Maharashtra government in the summer of 2023, and the NCBC conducted multiple hearings and reviews before making the recommendation.
• The NCBC chairperson, Hansraj Ahir, highlighted the extensive examination carried out before finalizing the proposal. Hearings were held in July and October to gather representations from the communities.

Regional Concentration of Castes:

• The recommended communities have significant regional concentrations:
• The Bhoyar, Powar, and Pawar communities are concentrated in the Vidarbha region, particularly in Bhandara and Gondia districts.
• The Gujar sub-castes are concentrated in north Maharashtra, notably in Nashik, Jalgaon, Dhule, and Nandurbar districts.

Procedure for Inclusion:

• For castes to be included in the Central OBC list, state governments must provide data on the social, economic, and educational backwardness of the communities. The NCBC vets this data before making its recommendations to the Union government, which then notifies the changes.

Benefits of Inclusion:

• The inclusion of these castes in the Central OBC list will provide them with access to reservation benefits in central government employment, higher education institutions, and scholarships, ensuring better opportunities for social and economic upliftment.

Current OBC List in Maharashtra:

• With these additions, 261 castes from Maharashtra are now part of the Central OBC list, reflecting the ongoing efforts to provide equitable representation for backward communities in the state.

Prelims Takeaways:

• National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)