Kerala govt plans to reform state OBC list

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government is gearing up to expand the Other Backward Classes (OBC) list in the state.

The proposal in this regard is currently under the consideration of the cabinet. However, the decision is being temporarily delayed owing to the moral code of conduct in connection with the Puthuppally bypoll.

As per the reforms, Chakkala Nair, under Chakkala category, and Pandithar communities will be included in the OBC list. Other communities to be included in the list include Dasa and Parkavakulam.

At present, around 80 categories receive the benefits of OBC list. But, there have been complaints about people being denied reservation benefits, despite being in the same category, due to minute changes in names. Following this, a decision was taken to expand the list.

Education benefits for Christian Nadars in OBC category 

As per reports, a decision has also been taken to provide educational benefits to Christian Nadars belonging to the OBC category. Earlier in 2021, the state government had decided to include Nadar Christian categories, which do not belong to the South Indian United Church (SIUC), in the OBC list. However, the court stayed the decision. 

Meanwhile, the union government introduced a constitutional amendment to revive the power of the state governments to identify socially and educationally backward classes. Consequently, the state government included Nadar community in the OBC list.

Furthermore, the inclusion of Christian Nadar communities in the list led to objections from the most backward Hindu communities. Several Nadar communities have raised demands for uniform Nadar reservation instead of the present three per cent job reservation, which is shared by around 80 OBC categories.

When a case in this regard was filed in the Supreme Court, the bench ordered the petitioner to approach the high court.