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India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
JDU's Rajeev Ranjan Prasad assumes charge as Vice Chairman of Bihar Upper Caste Commission
Patna (Bihar) [India], May 31 (ANI): JDU leader Rajeev Ranjan Prasad assumed office as the Vice Chairman of the Bihar State Commission for Development of Upper Castes on Saturday. 'Based on data from the Caste Survey, we believe the challenges during this Commission's tenure will be met with timely recommendations to the state government, and its role will be crucial. The responsibility lies with the newly nominated members of the Commission, who are all capable individuals entrusted by the Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar. Many good people have been appointed to various commissions, and work will progress across all fronts...' Prasad told ANI. He further stated that the Commission continued to be dedicated to upper caste development and added that, with the caste survey data, its role had become more important. 'This continues to be the only commission dedicated to upper caste development. Following the Centre's decision on EWS (Economically Weaker Sections), the state government also implemented it. With the Caste Survey data and these developments, the Commission's role becomes even more important...' he added. Earlier on May 30, ahead of the upcoming Bihar elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Mahachandra Prasad Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Commission. The Bihar General Administration Department issued the official notification on Thursday. Singh has been appointed for a three-year term. The move comes at a time when the state is witnessing significant political realignments. Former Union Minister and ex-JD(U) leader Ram Chandra Prasad Singh recently merged his political outfit Aap Sabki Awaz (ASA) with the Jan Suraaj Party led by Prashant Kishor. Singh had left the JD(U) in 2023, joined the BJP, and later launched his own party in 2024, announcing plans to contest the 2025 Bihar Assembly polls. The Bihar Assembly elections are expected to be held later this year. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), comprising the BJP, JD(U), and LJP, is aiming to retain power, while the opposition INDIA bloc is preparing to challenge the incumbent Nitish Kumar-led government. (ANI)
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
HC asks CG govt to file reply on plea seeking implementation of EWS quota
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh High Court directed the state govt to file a reply within four weeks to a petition seeking the implementation of the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) reservation in govt services in the state. The petitioner was asked to submit a rejoinder within two weeks thereafter. Petitioner Pushparaj Singh and others filed a writ petition through counsel Yogesh Chandra, stating that while other states implemented a 10 per cent reservation for the EWS general category in public employment, Chhattisgarh is yet to do so, despite the Chhattisgarh Public Service Ordinance, 2019, already being in effect. Justice Amitesh Kishore Prasad's single bench heard the matter. The court was informed that Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution of India were amended on 12 Jan 2019, empowering states to provide a 10 per cent reservation to the EWS category. The Union of India implemented this 10 per cent EWS reservation on 19 Jan 2019. Subsequently, Section 4 of the ordinance and Public Service Amendment Ordinance issued by the Chhattisgarh govt on 4 Sept 2019 proposed a 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker sections. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The petitioners also submitted a representation in this regard on 29 April 2024. During the hearing, the counsel argued that based on the constitutional amendment, which empowers state govts to provide EWS reservation, it was implemented in other Indian states, including Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Individuals belonging to the EWS category are entitled to a maximum of 10 per cent reservation in public employment as per the constitutional amendment. After arguments, the High Court directed the state govt to file its reply within four weeks, following which the petitioner will have two weeks to submit a rejoinder. The next hearing will be scheduled after this. The petitioners' counsel Yogesh Chandra informed a media outlet that the HC ordered the state govt to file its response by 28 March 2025, and four weeks have since passed. The state govt is yet to file its reply, the counsel said.
Hans India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Jamnagar civic body in Gujarat resumes clearing illegal encroachments along riverbanks
Ahmedabad: The Jamnagar Municipal Corporation (JMC) in Gujarat resumed its large-scale demolition drive targeting illegal encroachments along the banks of the Rangamati and Nagmati rivers near Ranjit Sagar Road on Friday. The operation aims to free up nearly 66,000 square feet of public land, with an estimated value of around Rs one crore. The demolition action follows prior notices served to 33 illegal encroachers, and marks a continuation of efforts to clear riverbeds ahead of the monsoon. The initiative is part of a broader plan linked to the Riverfront Development Project, and is intended to prevent waterlogging and flooding in city areas during the rainy season. The operation saw the deployment of significant resources, including six JCB machines, four tractors, and one excavator, along with the coordinated efforts of over 100 municipal staff and a strong police force, which also included women officers from the City A Division. Earlier this week, on Wednesday, a similar demolition was carried out along the stretch between Kalavad Naka and Nageshwar, where 50,000 square feet of space was cleared between morning and 6 p.m. Meanwhile, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) completed a two-phase demolition drive around Chandola Lake in the Danilimda area, targeting illegal encroachments that had accumulated over decades. The operation, which began on April 29 and concluded on May 22, resulted in the removal of approximately 12,500 unauthorised structures, including residences, shops, and religious establishments, reclaiming around four lakh square meters of public land. The first phase of the drive cleared about 1.5 lakh square meters, while the second phase focused on an additional 2.5 lakh square meters. The AMC deployed substantial resources, including 35 bulldozers, 15 earthmovers, and over 350 personnel, with the support of 3,000 police and State Reserve Police officers to maintain law and order during the operations. The demolition drive has sparked discussions regarding the rehabilitation of displaced residents. The AMC has stated that individuals who have been residing in the area since before 2010 are eligible for alternative housing under the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) housing scheme. However, concerns have been raised about the adequacy and timeliness of these provisions.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI flags anomaly in EWS quota allocation for recruitment of Assistants in Puducherry
The Communist Party of India (CPI) has alleged that the Puducherry government has incorrectly fixed the quota for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in the recruitment for the post of Assistants in Puducherry. The party's Puducherry unit secretary A.M. Saleem, in a statement, said the government has to fill 60% of the Assistant posts through promotion, 20% through limited competitive examination, and the remaining 20% through direct recruitment. The criteria for filling up the Assistant posts was based on the recruitment rules published in 2012. The notification for direct recruitment in posts, which fell vacant from April 29, 2012, was published on August 22, 2024. The model reservation roster for the EWS quota was published on January 31, 2019. As such, reservation under the EWS quota would apply only to the posts notified on or after that date. There are around 418 vacancies in the post of Assistants, the release said. 'As per the recruitment rules criteria, only 83 posts are to be filled through direct recruitment. Out of the 83 posts, eight can be allotted to candidates under the EWS. However, the government has fixed 25 seats for the EWS, which is erroneous. This decision will deprive socially marginalised sections of job opportunities in the recruitment of Assistants. The Chief Minister should immediately intervene to ensure that social justice is protected,' he said.
News18
19-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
What Are Extremely Backward Classes? Why Are They Crucial In Bihar Politics? Explained
Last Updated: The creation of Extremely Backward Classes in Bihar goes back to more than 50 years ago when Kapoori Thakur was the chief minister, who was from an extremely backward community The Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) have been an important part of Bihar politics, with many political parties and leaders wooing them as they constitute 36% of the state's population. With state elections in October-November, Congress, BJP and RJD are cultivating the EBCs as votebank. Let us understand how EBCs have influenced Bihar politics, how they are classified and why parties give special attention to them during elections. What Are EBCs? Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) refer to socially and educationally disadvantaged castes that are more marginalised than the general Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The EBCs often lack access to education, political representation, economic opportunity, and basic social services. EBCs are not a separate constitutional category like SC or ST. They are typically a sub-group within the OBC (Other Backward Classes) category, created to identify the most deprived castes among OBCs. In India, the 10% reservation under the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) quota (introduced via the 103rd Constitutional Amendment in 2019) is meant for economically backward people who do not fall under SC/ST/OBC categories. EBCs may also be eligible for scholarships, housing schemes, fee waivers, and financial aid from both central and state governments. How EBC Was Introduced In Bihar The Mungeri Lal Commission identified 128 castes as 'backward" in economic, social, occupational and educational terms. These castes were then divided into two categories — 34 castes were placed under the Backward Class category, and 94 castes were listed under the Extremely Backward Class (EBC) category. When Kapoori Thakur became the CM for the second time in 1977, he announced plans to implement the Mungeri Lal Commission's recommendations in 1978. The recommendations included 8% reservation for Backward Classes, 12% for Extremely Backward Classes, 3% for women of all castes, and 3% for economically backward castes. However, the reservation based on economic criteria was later declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. In 1990s, the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations, which provided 27% reservation for OBCs nationally, shifted focus to caste-based affirmative action. In Bihar, under Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav (1990–1997), reservations for OBCs were increased from 12% to 14%, but there was no specific mention of a purely economic EBC category at this time. The EBCs as a pure economic category gained traction in Bihar and nationally in 2000s. The Bihar government began recognising economic deprivation for non-SC/ST/OBC groups, especially after the 2006 reservation policies for economically weaker sections in educational institutions. However, specific schemes targeting EBCs (as an economic group) in Bihar were limited until later. In 2019, under the 103rd Constitutional Amendment, 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections was introduced across India for those not covered by SC/ST/OBC quotas. In 2023, the Bihar assembly passed a bill to increase reservation for Backward Classes, Extremely Backward Classes, SCs and STs from the existing 50% to 65%. As per the Bihar Reservation Amendment Bill, quota for Extremely Backward Class (EBC) has been increased from 18% to 25%; for Backward Class (BC) from 12% to 18%; for SC from 16% to 20%; and for ST, the quota will be doubled, from 1% to 2%. The existing 3% reservation for BC women has been scrapped. What Are The Castes Classified As EBC In Bihar? The Bihar government released the results of a caste-based survey of the state on October 2, 2023, which revealed that 36% of the state's total population belongs to the EBC category, comprising a total of 112 castes. In fact, it was RJD chief Lalu Prasad who first realised the importance of EBCs because of their cumulative numbers, much more than any individual dominant group like the Yadavs (14.27% of the population as per the caste census) and Muslims (about 17%). Among the EBCs, only four castes — Teli, Mallah, Kanu, and Dhanuk — have a population of more than 2%. Among Muslim castes, Julaha is the only one with a significant presence, constituting 3.5% of the population. Seven other castes — Nonia, Chandravanshi, Nai, Barhai, Dhuniya (Muslim), Kumhar, and Kunjra (Muslim) — each have a population of less than 2%, as per an Indian Express report. Beyond these 12, none of the remaining 100 EBC castes has even a 1% share in the total population, the added. How BJP And Congress Trying To Woo EBCs Rahul Gandhi on May 15 visited Darbhanga to attend the 'Shiksha aur Nyay Samvad' (Education and Justice Dialogue), where he addressed the backward, extremely backward, Dalit-Mahadalit, and minority communities, advocating for reservations in private institutions. Gandhi raised the caste survey issue and demanded reservations for students from the SC and ST communities in private institutions. He accused the Nitish Kumar-led government of denying funds to them under the SC-ST plan, meant to ensure the communities receive a proportionate share of development benefits. 'We want to raise three demands — conducting a caste census in the country, reservation for OBCs (Other Backward Classes), EBCs (Economically Backward Classes), SCs and STs in private institutions and ensuring funds for SCs and STs under the government's SC-ST sub plan," he said, as quoted by India Today. Meanwhile, BJP's national officer-bearers and the party's national leadership have toured the state and held meetings with its allies to complete the caste mapping, as per a report by The Economic Times. Sources said the BJP, along with its allies, reached an understanding that castes finalised from each seat allocation and candidates would be finalised later. The BJP's Bihar unit is eyeing a larger pie of seats this time. It has suggested to its central leadership that sometimes smaller allies prefer individuals over caste while selecting candidates driven by funding concerns, and therefore were demanding a caste mapping exercise. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : 2025 Bihar elections Bhiar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Bihar Politics News18 Explains Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 19, 2025, 11:05 IST News explainers What Are Extremely Backward Classes? Why Are They Crucial In Bihar Politics? Explained
