Dharmendra Pradhan Urges Reconstitution of Odisha Backward Classes Commission

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, seeking early reconstitution of the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (OSCBC), which has remained non-functional since January 3, 2024, due to the absence of appointed members.

In his letter, Pradhan highlighted that Odisha is home to 216 Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) communities, which constitute a substantial portion of the state’s population. He noted that the lack of a functioning Commission has adversely affected these communities, particularly in accessing opportunities in education, employment and various welfare schemes.

Pradhan pointed out that in the absence of the statutory body, SEBC communities are deprived of an institutional platform to raise their concerns and seek redressal of legitimate grievances.

Stressing the importance of the Commission, the Union Minister said a functional OSCBC is essential to ensure fairness, social justice and effective policy implementation for backward classes in the state.

He urged the Chief Minister’s personal intervention for the early reconstitution of the Commission, stating that it would uphold the spirit of social justice and fulfil the aspirations of Odisha’s backward communities.