Parliament passes NCBC bill to give it constitutional status

NEW DELHI: Marking a major political milestone for the Modi government, Rajya Sabha on Monday unanimously passed the bill to grant constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes, which has been hanging fire for more than a year.
The slightly reworked bill, with provisions for a woman member and assurances that the powers of states will not be diluted, was passed unanimously by the upper House where the opposition had previously forced amendments to the discomfiture of the government.
This time around, the bill was debated intensely, but passed muster setting the stage for a new and more empowered NCBC that is in sync with BJP’s outreach to the backward castes. The commission is also crucial to the process of evaluating claims of groups like Jats that have been demanding reservation under OBC status — a major issue in Haryana.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided justice to the backward community, which was deprived of developments for decades, with this legislation,” BJP chief Amit Shah said, reflecting the premium the party places on wooing the backward castes, which backed the party in significant numbers in the 2014 Lok Sabha election.
While social justice and empowerment minister Thawarchand Gehlot described the amendments as “the need of hour to help OBCs fight atrocities and get speedy justice”, the Opposition demanded the government must make public numbers in the socio-economic and caste census. The bill was passed in Lok Sabha last week.
During the debate, opposition parties criticised BJP for indulging in “vote bank politics” in the run-up to 2019 elections. This was was met with an equally strong counter from BJP members who accused Congress for failing to act during two terms that UPA held office.
While the Opposition expressed its apprehensions, none opposed the bill. Finally, the upper House adopted the legislation by 156 votes to nil. Over two-third majority of those present voted in favour of the bill, which is a necessity for amending the Constitution.

Replying to the debate, Gehlot referred to suggestions by the opposition parties and said the NCBC would have female representation and this would be made part of the rules. However, the opposition’s demand for inclusion of a minority member was not accepted. BJP members said the parameters were backwardness and not religion.