Karnataka passes Bill for Backward classes

Bangalore: Karnataka Assembly today passed a bill that would empower the state backward classes commission to identify classes of people who are socially and educationally backward.

The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (Amendment) Bill, 2014 was passed by voice-vote.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said the bill aims at identifying the classes of the citizens who are socially and educationally backward by the commission for recommendation to the government.

The amendment was brought to give effect to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's announcement in his 2013-14 budget speech for conducting social and educational survey of all castes in the state through the Backward Classes Commission.

Jayachandra said there will be an approximate non-recurring expenditure of Rs. 28.52 crore.

The Commission examines requests for inclusion of citizens as Backward Class and hears complaints of over-inclusion or under-inclusion of any Backward Class, he said.

The Commission will also conduct survey of the social and educational conditions and problems of Backward Class people.

It will supervise implementation of various welfare schemes meant for them, Jayachandra said.