Govt, oppn fight over credit for working for backward classes

The government and the opposition today fought in the Lok Sabha over credit for working for the welfare of the backward classes.
Social Justice Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot, while pressing for early passage of the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill to give constitutional status to the backward commission, accused the Congress of not doing anything for the backward classes.
He said the UPA government had junked all the important reports on OBCs.
"I request for early passage of this bill and it will help in setting up the commission," he said.
The bill seeking to create a new commission with constitutional powers for the OBCs like similar bodies for the SCs and the STs was tabled in the House yesterday.

The move is seen as part of the ruling BJP's aggressive outreach to politically-crucial other backward castes.

The demand to give the commission a constitutional status was there for the last 25 years and "You (Congress) only thought about this and we moved forward on this," Gehlot told the Congress benches.
"You only use backward classes as your vote bank and did not do anything for their rights...You did not honour the OBCs. But I assure you that this commission will work for the betterment of OBCs," he added.
He also accused the Congress of not working on the report submitted by Kaka Kaielkar Commission in 1955.

He said the Mandal Commission was established in 1979 and the report came in 1982 but till 1990, nothing happened on that. "So between 1955 and 1990, whose government was there," the minister asked.
"Who took the decision on Mandal Commission...For OBC rights, you (Congress government) have not done anything," he added.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge countered by saying that this government was taking all the credit.
He added, "who brought the Mandal Commission? You (BJP) opposed that".
Rajeev Satav (Congress) said the government, over the last three years, had done nothing and was bringing the bill now.
"I brought this as a private member bill and if you were so passionate, why did you not bring that," he said and asked, "We want to know why you took three years for this bill?"

Talking about the bill, the minister said it was introduced to address the issues of OBCs and it will give constitutional status to the backward classes commission.
"It was a long-pending demand to set up the commission," he said, adding states will also get powers to take forward the issues of OBCs.
It would have powers like SC and ST commission for addition and substraction of any caste.
Earlier, this commission do not have the powers to listen to the grievances of OBCs but now all the grievances will be looked into by the Commission, he added.
Further, he said earlier representations for the welfare and betterment of OBCs were made to central government but now states too can give suggestions to the centre.

He also informed that with the passage of this bill, the power to appoint members would vest with the President and not the Prime Minister.
B Mahtab (BJD) said this bill is very important and it will take away the power of states.
"It is an attack on the federalism," he said, adding this bill would deny the benefits of people in Odisha and also deny the rights of states.
"Therefore it is necessary that the government should consider including provisions of respective states...This is an intricate issue and impact federal structure.
"Let the government send this bill to the standing committee," he added.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the bill would not withdraw the power of states.
"There is a general consensus on the issue in the country...It will empower states," he added.
Kharge said Congress supports the bill as it is an important legislation.
However, he added that since it affects 52-55 per cent of the population, it should be referred to the standing committee of Parliament.
The Committee will look at the minor issues and suggestions will be taken from others also including political leaders.