Chhattisgarh government increases OBC quota in local body elections

Chhattisgah Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai | Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of Chhattisgarh on Monday (October 28, 2024) announced an increase in reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in local body elections in the State.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, and is based on the recommendations of the State Backward Classes Welfare Commission, which ensures reservation in proportion to the OBC population, the government said in a statement.

According to the government spokesperson, previously, the reservation limit was set at 25%, which has now been increased to 50%. This new provision will also apply to posts reserved at the Government level, including Chairpersons of district panchayats, Mayors of municipal corporations, and Chairpersons of municipalities.

This move is based on the recommendations of the Welfare Commission for Backward Classes, which ensures reservation in proportion to the population of the OBC community.

Most local bodies will complete their mandate in December and elections are usually held during this month, although an official announcement about the voting dates is yet to be made. It is understood that the data of OBC population in the State is important for conducting elections with reservation.

Not in the lands of the kings

The State government’s statement clarified that in organizations where the total reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) was 50% or more, the OBC reservation will not be applicable. “However, where the total number of SCs and STs is less than 50%, OBCs will get up to 50% reservation, provided they do not exceed the average population of OBCs in that body,” the government said.

Although no exact data is available on the OBC population in Chhattisgarh, as in the rest of India, OBCs are concentrated in areas beyond the tribal areas of Sarguja and Bastar.

It’s a number game

The previous Congress government led by Bhupesh Baghel had set up a Quantifiable Data Commission but did not disclose its findings. After a local media report published in 2022 said that the number of OBC people in the State stands at 41% according to the results allegedly obtained by the Commission, there is no official confirmation or denial. Some ethnic groups, however, questioned the methodology used by the Commission to arrive at that number, questioning the long-held claim that OBCs constitute more than 50% of the State’s population.

The previous government increased the reservation quota for OBCs from 14% to 27% in jobs and admissions in State government institutions, but the Bills to amend the quota are yet to be approved by the Governor.

Mr. Sai called the latest decision “a historic step to ensure social harmony and justice in the State”. “Our aim is to provide equal opportunities to all social groups. This decision will increase the representation of the OBC community and bring their contribution to development,” said the CM.

The Congress of Opposition has welcomed the move, saying it has always advocated representation according to population quota, but accused the BJP of stalling the quota amendment Bills passed by Parliament during its rule.