JAMMU, Mar 19: The Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes which recently got extension of six months is reportedly working on deletion of nearly 50 percent areas listed as “Backward Areas” as they ceased to be backward now and is likely to add new areas in their place which are genuinely backward.The Commission is headed by Justice (Retired) GD Sharma and comprised Rup Lal Bharti and Munir Khan.Sources told the Excelsior that after recommending reservation for Pahari Ethnic Tribe, Paddari Tribe, Koli and Gadda Brahmins and Valmikis, the Commission has been carrying out an extensive exercise on revamping Resident of Backward Areas (RBA) reservation which is presently 10 percent in Jammu and Kashmir.“In 1995 when the then Commission declared backward areas, it was mentioned that a review will be carried out after every five years as some areas may develop during that time which can be excluded from the list of RBA while left out areas can be included,” sources said.However, they said, the review was not carried out for last 28 years now but, at the same time, many areas were added. There were allegations that new areas were included as RBA due to “political considerations” to strengthen vote bank of the then ruling parties.Connectivity, schools, hospitals etc were among the criteria listed for declaration of backward area. In 1995, 18 percent area of Jammu and Kashmir was declared as backward area and 20 percent reservation was given to RBA. The reservation was brought down to 10 percent in 2020.
