Bhubaneswar, December 22: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday sought the intervention of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for early the reconstitution of the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (OSCBC).

In a letter to the Chief Minister Pradhan said the OSCBC is presently functus officio following the completion of its tenure on January 3, 2024 and the absence of appointed members.

“As you are aware, Odisha is home to 216 Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) communities, that constitute a substantial segment of State population. These communities continue to face challenges in accessing equitable opportunities in education, employment, and welfare schemes,” said Pradhan.

Pradhan pointed out that in the absence of a functioning Commission, the SEBC communities are deprived of a statutory representation to voice their concerns and seek redressal of their legitimate concern.

“The OSCBC plays a pivotal role in examining requests for inclusion of communities in the SEBC list, addressing their grievances and advising the Government on policy matters. Following the enactment of the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (Amendment) Act, 2020, the Commission has also been entrusted with conducting surveys on the social and educational conditions of backward class communities, as may be decided by the State Government,” said Pradhan.

“In view of the above, I request your personal intervention for the early reconstitution of the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes, which will uphold the spirit of social justice besides fulfilling the aspirations of State's backward communities,” urged the Union Minister.