Chhattisgarh will prepare a new category-wise database to provide reservation in public services for Other Backward Class (OBC) up to 27 percent and 10 percent to economically weaker general (EWS) category.
This will be done on the basis of the Patel Commission guidelines, with the present ration card database as the foundation. This decision was taken on Sunday by the cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
According to the decision taken virtually, it was decided that the updated data will be then approved by holding village-level and ward-wise meetings in urban bodies, an official press release said.
The cabinet was discussing the pending case of reservation before the Chhattisgarh High Court after an ordinance on a hike in percentage of reservation was challenged.
The Chief Minister laid emphasis on inclusion of families left out from the database with the Food Department. At present 99 percent of ration cards are linked with Aadhaar number and bank account. A transparent process will be adopted.
The present ration card holders list will be published at village panchayat and urban bodies’ wards. Claims and objections will be invited. Families left out will be asked to apply. The ineligible family will be deleted.
The Chief Minister said that beneficiaries in general category is 8.18 percent, which is around 5.89 lakh ration cards covering 20.25 lakh individuals. During updating of data, the number is likely to increase to 11-12 percent.
It would help to strengthen the 10 percent reservation to the EWS general category.
The Cabinet decided to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in a brief way due to Covid-19.