The government on Tuesday told the Lok Sabha that it provides 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in direct recruitment to civil posts and services under the Centre. Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment B L Verma, in response to a question, said the reservation policy is being implemented by the Department of Personnel and Training. “The government has a reservation policy vide OM (Office Memorandum) dated 8.9.1993 of the Department of Personnel and Training and other instructions issued from time to time, under which 27 per cent vacancies in direct recruitment to civil posts and services under the government are reserved for OBCs (Socially and Educationally Backward Classes),” he said in a written reply.
He said the ministry is taking steps for the welfare of OBCs under the umbrella scheme of PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM-YASASVI), which includes pre-matric and post-matric scholarships, top class education in schools and colleges and construction of hostels for OBC boys and girls.
The Minister said that apart from this, there is also the “Higher Education Scholarship Scheme for Young Achievers (SHREYAS-OBC)”, which includes the National Fellowship for OBCs and the Dr. Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme for Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Studies Abroad for OBCs and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs). He said that the schemes for the welfare of OBCs are reviewed from time to time in consultation with all stakeholders and concerned ministries and departments.
‘Sub-tribe-wise data is not published separately in the census’
Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, “As per the 2011 Census, the total population of Scheduled Tribes (STs) is 10,45,45,716. In the Census, ST-wise data is collected as per the notified list of STs of each State and Union Territory. Sub-tribe-wise data is not published separately in the Census.”
