Lok Sabha passes Bill to give constitutional status to NCBC

As the Lok Sabha unanimously passed the Bill to give Constitutional status to the National Commission on Backward Classes (NCBC), the Congress said the BJP is trying to portray that the Opposition was against the Bill.

The Constitutional amendment Bill, if passed, will make the NCBC at par with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. “The Congress party supports the OBC Commission constituted, but the BJP constantly accuses that the Congress has opposed it,” said the Lok Sabha member of the party Tamradhwaj Sahu. He said that in the Rajya Sabha, the Bill was passed with amendments and it came back to the Lok Sabha.

“The Congress party toiled hard for 27 per cent reservation for the OBC, and stands by them. We wholeheartedly support Constitutional status for the NCBC, but as a party that has been a firm believer in the principles of federalism and debate in a parliamentary democracy, we will fight tooth and nail so that people from the OBC get their rightful legislation,” the Congress said in a statement.

Meanwhile, BSP president Mayawati said in Lucknow that the new Bill was an effort by the Centre to “cheat” weaker sections ahead of upcoming polls.

“The BJP, which has tried to deprive backward sections like the Dalits and the tribals of their rights, is now trying to bring a Bill granting Constitutional status to the Backward Class Commission to lure weaker sections,” Mayawati said.

“The BJP wants to cheat these sections on election eve and is therefore bringing the Bill in Parliament.”

COMMENT NOW