National Seminar on Reservations for Economically Backward Classes

National Commission for Economically Backward Classes (NCEBC), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India and International Management Institute (IMI) are organizing a one day seminar which may suggest policy inputs on identifying and extending Affirmative measures for the Economically Backward Classes in the General category of population. The seminar will be organised on 4th December 2008 at IMI, B-10, Qutub.

Institutional Area. The seminar will discuss the impact of reservations on SC, ST, OBCs and General category, try to evolve with a fresh look a Backwardness. Index with account on economic backwardness, examine desirability and quantum of reservation for the Backward classes/groups in General category, explore innovative affirmative measures and identify Legal/constitutional barriers in implementing recommendation and their resolution.

Several states have been raising the issue that the backward classes among the General category needed affirmative support. General category constitutes about 30% of population. It comprises of 69% Hindu, 27% Muslims and 4% other minorities. Economic backwardness cuts across the religious groups and castes. It is observed that parts of the general category irrespective of caste and religion are poor, educationally backward and have low access to competitive opportunities. If backwardness criteria is applied to some of these segments of general category, such groups would be found to be equally in need of affirmative measures as the already identified other backward classes. Otherwise people belonging to much weak sections of general category will not be able to benefit from the constitutional guarantee to right to equality.

The topic is of contemporary importance as both ruling and opposition parties have reportedly promised to examine the case of economically backward classes in the general category.

The various sessions will be chaired by eminent personalities which include Justice Rajinder Sachar and Prof P V Indiresan, Former Director, IIT (Madras). Speakers include Academics and Researchers from JNU, Delhi University, CSDS, ICSSR, World Bank, IIPA, NCAER, IAMR,CSD, IMI. Senior officials from the National Commissions for other Backward Classes, SC, ST, Women, Minorities and Economically Backward classes are expected to attend to contribute to deliberations.

Co chairs Prof N C Patnaik and Prof Bibek Debroy are organizing the seminar at IMI.

IMI, a Delhi based top ranking management school, is noted for its commitment to social and public concerns. It has been holding seminars and summits and undertaking Training and consulting assignments on such issues regularly.

National Commission for Economically Backward Classes (NCEBC)

National commission for Economically Backward Classes has been setup under the aegis of Ministry of Social Justice &Empowerment, Govt. of India Its mission is to ensure that the poor and disadvantaged segments and groups within the general category of population are properly identified and they receive social justice through appropriate affirmative measures.