Bhubaneswar, Dec 22 (NationPress) Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has reached out to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, requesting his immediate attention for the prompt reconstitution of the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (OSCBC). This commission has been inactive since its term ended on January 3, 2024.

In his letter dated Monday, Pradhan emphasized that the OSCBC has become functus officio due to the absence of appointed members, leading to a gap in the statutory framework required to address the needs of the Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) communities in Odisha.

Pointing out that Odisha is home to 216 SEBC communities, which represent a substantial segment of the state's population, the Union Minister stated that these groups continue to encounter difficulties in obtaining equal opportunities in education, employment, and welfare programs. Without a functioning commission, they lack a formal avenue for voicing concerns and seeking solutions.

Pradhan stressed the vital function of the OSCBC in reviewing applications for community inclusion in the SEBC list, resolving issues, and advising the government on relevant policies.

He also referenced the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (Amendment) Act, 2020, which assigns the commission the responsibility of conducting studies on the social and educational conditions of backward class communities as mandated by the state government.

“In light of these circumstances, I urge your personal intervention for the swift reconstitution of the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes, which will not only uphold the principles of social justice but also address the aspirations of the state’s backward communities,” Pradhan stated in his correspondence.

The Union Minister expressed optimism that timely action would ensure statutory representation and protect the rights and interests of backward class communities throughout Odisha.