Question: Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a proposal for setting up of a Commission to examine the issue of sub-categorization of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Under which Article of Indian Constitution commission is set up?
(a) Article 342
(b) Article 340
(c) Article 338(4)
(d) Article 352
Answer- (b)
Related Facts:
- On August 23rd, 2017, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister approved a proposal for setting up of a Commission under article 340 of the Constitution to examine the issue of sub-categorization of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
- Article 340 of the Indian Constitution provides for “Appointment of a Commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes”.
- The proposed terms of references of the Commission are as follows:
- To examine the extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes/ communities included in the broad category of OBCs, with reference to the OBCs included in the Central list.
- To work out the mechanism, criteria, norms, and parameters, in a scientific approach, for sub-categorization within such OBCs, and,
- To take up the exercise of identifying the respective castes/communities/ sub-castes/ synonyms in the Central List of OBCs and classifying them into their respective sub-categories.
- The Commission shall be known as the Commission to examine the subcategorization of Other Backward Classes.
- The Commission shall submit its report within 12 weeks from the date of appointment of the Chairperson of the Commission.
- Nine States of the country viz., Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry, Karnataka, Haryana, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have already carried out sub-categorization of Other Backward Classes.
Reference:
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=170173
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintHindiRelease.aspx?relid=66717