Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked the Opposition the reason behind blocking the Bill in the Rajya Sabha that seeks to accord constitutional status to the OBC commission, especially when it aims to benefit backward classes. The lok Sabha passed the legislation.
Modi was addressing BJP’s OBC MPs who thanked him for the legislation that seeks to create National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (NCSEBC) with judicial powers and constitutional status and which replaces the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). Once the Bill becomes law, States will not be able to add or delete castes from the backward classes’ list without Parliament’s approval.
He asked the OBC MPs that as leaders of backward communities it’s their “moral responsibility” to create mass awareness as how their community could make best use of the proposed legislation for their benefits.
On Opposition blocking the OBC commission Bill in Rajya Sabha, Modi expressed surprise at their stand as members of all parties had been urging him for bringing the legislation.
“The Bill was passed unanimously in the lok Sabha but blocked in the Rajya Sabha (by Opposition parties). Denying the backward sections their rights with such negative politics is regrettable,” A BJP statement quoted Modi telling BJP MPs.
The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday referred the Bill to the Select Committee under pressure from the opposition. The ruling NDA does not have a majority in the House. The committee that will examine the bill will be headed by BJP member Bhupender Yadav. It has been asked to submit its report by the last day of the first week of the next session.