Question : SEPARATE MINISTRY FOR OBC

(a) whether the Government has received proposals for according constitutional status and providing more powers to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) on the lines of other commissions;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;

(c) whether the Government proposes to constitute a separate Ministry for the welfare and development of Other Backward Classes (OBCs); and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

(a) & (b): The proposal to give constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) is in the process in the Ministry. The modalities to amend the Constitution that are required to give constitutional status to the NCBC takes time.

(c) & (d): No such proposal is under consideration in the Ministry.