Ahmedabad: In Gujarat, there are 21 castes awaiting consideration for classification as socially and educationally backward classes (SEBC) by the state’s backward class commission (OBC commission).

This information was provided by the chief secretary in an affidavit submitted to the Gujarat High Court on Friday in response to a PIL filed in 2018 by Umiya Parivaar concerning the establishment of the OBC commission. The government indicated that a decision made in February confirmed the commission would continue operating as a one-man body, as it has since its inception in 1993, and that the proposal to add two members was not accepted.

Referring to a 1993 government resolution, the affidavit noted, “It was decided to engage experts to assess the social, economic, and educational conditions, as well as the lifestyles, customs, practices, and traditions of the caste/class making the representation.”

The affidavit also mentioned that since the commission’s formation, it has included 25 different castes in the SEBC list, and applications from 21 communities are currently under review. The questioning phase for all 21 castes has been completed, and the commission is now conducting a mandatory survey to assess the educational levels and social standings of these communities for potential inclusion in the backward class list.

The petitioner’s lawyer, Vishal Dave, argued that the state’s OBC commission being structured as a one-man body contradicts constitutional mandates and has been operating without a proper framework since 1993. He requested a two-week extension to respond to the state government’s affidavit. DeshGujarat