SEBCC given wide powers to address issues of socially, educationally backward classes in J&K: Justice (Retd) Sharma

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission (SEBCC) has been given wide range of powers to look into the issues of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the J&K.
This was stated by Chairman SEBCC, Justice (Retd) GD Sharma during a press conference here today.
Justice Sharma also informed that the Commission has been given very wide powers to determine the criteria to be adopted in considering any section of the people in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as Socially and Educationally Backward Classes.
He said the Commission would be using criteria to examine inclusion of other socially and educationally backward classes in this category.
In addition to this, Justice Sharma said, the Commission would also categorize the socially and educationally backward classes and examine the safeguards that should be provided to ensure balance of orderly development of all sections and classes of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Commission will also examine the overall question of providing reservation for recruitment to various posts ensuring the efficiency in administration and minimum standards for job requirements,” Sharma said.
He further added that the Commission has to present a report to the Government setting out the facts as would be found and make recommendations as are thought proper for categorization of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes for providing reservation to them and to other communities also.
He said that additional terms of reference related to SCs and STs, the Commission has to examine Scheduled Caste Order of 1956 and scheduled Tribe’s Order 1989.
The Commission has been given the powers to give its opinion in any other matter arising out of the afore-said terms of reference to the Government, he said.
Quoting the 103rd Amendment in Constitution of India, Mr Sharma said the amendments in Articles 15 and 16 provided addition reservations to the existing reservations subject to maximum 10% of the posts in each category.
“Now, the time has come that an attempt would be made to make these benefits available to the most deserving. It is a fact that reservation has worked to a greater extent in the country to elevate the conditions of the above reserved categories and figures are available with the Government,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, former IPS officer Munir Ahmed Khan, who is also the Member of the Commission, said that the Commission is functioning from both the capital cities of J&K so that people would not face any inconvenience.