(ET)
The Centre has listed the Constitution amendment bill to bestow statutory powers to the OBC Commission in the list of business of the Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha originally passed the bill in April 2017, but the Opposition-dominated Rajya Sabha returned it after making amendments in July 2017.
By listing the bill again, the government aims to send out a political message to the electorally important Other Backward Classes. The listed bill has reiterated Clause (3) which gives a larger legislative framework for the commission, which was done away by the Rajya Sabha. However, the bill now has incorporated two amendments which the Biju Janata Dal had sought. Changes BJD wanted were to include a woman member in the commission and allow state governments to make related policy decision without consulting the commission.
