On August 6th, 2018 the Rajya Sabha has cleared unanimously the National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017 which grants constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).

The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot has moved the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Third Amendment) Bill, 2017 and the further Amendments made by the Lok Sabha. The Amendment Bill is to repeal the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993 as passed by the Lok Sabha.

The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha with an Amendment (without clause-3) at its sitting held on July 31st, 2017 and transmitted to the Lok Sabha for its concurrence. The Lok Sabha passed the Bill with alternate amendments and further amendments at its sitting held on August 2nd, 2018.

“The National Commission for Backward Classes was constituted under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993 which shall examine requests for inclusion of any class of citizens as a backward class in the lists and hear complaints of over-inclusion or under-inclusion of any backward class in such lists and tender such advice to the Central Government as it deems appropriate. The said Act does not empower the Commission to hear the grievances of Other Backward Classes,” states the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill.

Further, it states that the Bill will insert Article 338B in the Constitution and it is proposed to constitute the National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes which will have the same functions including power to hear grievances of socially and educationally backward classes.