Centre recommends increase in reservation quota for OBCs in public employment in Punjab, West Bengal

TheNational Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC),an Indian government body, has recommended an increase inthe reservation quotafor Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in public sector employment in Indian states of Punjab and West Bengal, the news agency PTI reported on Thursday (May 16).At present, Punjaballocates 25 per cent of public employment positions to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 12 per cent to OBCs.

In an advisory, the NCBC proposedenhancing the OBC quota by an additional 13%, bringing the total OBC reservation in public employment to 25%. This adjustment would adhere to the Supreme Court'sceiling of up to 50 per centreservation for socially and educationally backward classes.

In West Bengal, the reservation quota for SCs is 22 per cent, for Scheduled Tribes (STs) is six per cent, and for OBCs is 17 per cent, concerning services and posts under the control of the state in establishments run or aided by the government.

The NCBC said that inBengal 17% reservation for the Other Backward Classes in respect of services and posts has been ensured.

"Thus the total reservation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes for public employment comes to 45%," the commission added.

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The NCBC also observed that the remainingfive per cent quota in public employment under the control of the state government may be enhanced concerning OBCs as per the ceiling up to 50 per centin compliance with Supreme Court directions.

The advisory said that theabove decisions by the NCBC came following a review of the current reservation policies, oral statements and documentary evidence, aiming to align with the directives laid out by the Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney case.

(With inputs from agencies)