Bhubaneswar, Oct 8 (UDN): The Odisha government has constituted a high-level commission to assess the population, political representation and extent of political backwardness of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) in local self-government institutions across the state.
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The decision covers both rural and urban local bodies, including panchayats and urban local government institutions. The initiative is aimed at generating a comprehensive assessment that could guide measures for ensuring adequate political representation of SEBC communities.
Justice Pramath Pattanaik to Head Commission
According to a notification issued by the ST and SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department, retired Orissa High Court judge Justice Pramath Pattanaik has been appointed as the chairperson of the commission.
Retired IAS officer Bijaya Kumar Prusti will serve as a member, while Sujata Mishra, Special Secretary of the department, has been appointed as the member secretary.
Panel to Study SEBC Representation
The commission will examine the proportion of the SEBC population in relation to the overall population within local self-government institutions.
It will also assess the existing level of political representation of SEBC communities and examine the nature and implications of their political backwardness in relation to their population.
The findings are expected to help the government formulate appropriate measures to ensure adequate representation and safeguard the rights and interests of SEBC communities in local governance.
Move Follows CM Majhi’s Decision
The constitution of the commission follows Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s decision to undertake a comprehensive study of the socio-political status and representation of SEBC communities in rural and urban local bodies.
The exercise comes against the backdrop of the state government’s recent steps concerning the welfare and representation of backward communities.
Earlier, the Odisha government had announced 11.25 per cent reservation for SEBC students in professional higher education, including engineering and medical institutions.
The newly constituted commission will now undertake the detailed assessment of SEBC representation in local governance, with its findings likely to play an important role in shaping future policy measures in the state.