Amidst agitation in Gujarat, Centre bypasses Patidars, updates OBC list

By NewsGram Staff Writer

The government has officially amended the list of Other Backward Castes (OBCs) by bringing two communities from Gujarat under its ambit.

The people belonging to the Sipai and Patni Jamat (Turk Jamat, consisting of mostly Muslims) communities from the state of Gujarat are now eligible for seeking reservation under OBC quota.

Communities from the state of Uttarakhand, namely, Kahar and Tanwar Singhariya have also found a place in the Central List of Other Backward Castes.

The communities have been added to the list on recommendations of National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).

Post the amendment, people belonging to these castes/ communities have now become eligible to avail the benefits of reservation in Government services and posts as well as in Central Educational Institutions as per the existing policies.

Various social welfare schemes, scholarships etc., which are currently being administered by the Central Government, and are available to persons belonging to the OBCs will be extended to these communities as well.

As per the press release, a total of 2404 "entries" (as "entry" means a caste, including its synonyms, sub-castes etc.) have been notified in the Central list of OBCs for 24 States and 6 Union Territories so far. The NCBC keeps advising the government for additions to the backward caste lists from time to time.

This amendment has come at a time when Gujarat is witnessing an uproar from the Patidar community demanding inclusion into the list of Backward Castes. The latest updated list of backward castes has failed to provide any respite to the agitating community.