The Rajasthan OBC Commission is set to conduct a door-to-door survey of Other Backward Class (OBC) families across the state starting from July 10. This survey aims to assess the reservation needs for the upcoming Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Body elections. Scheduled to run until July 23, the Commission will then compile the findings into a report for submission to the state government.
The State Election Commission is anticipated to announce the election schedule only after receiving the OBC Commission’s report. This is crucial as finalizing OBC reservation quotas is a prerequisite for conducting the polls. The OBC Commission has expressed concerns to the state government regarding potential disruptions to the survey process due to the ongoing transfer of government employees.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, the OBC Commission highlighted that the transfer exercise, permitted until July 10, could impact the survey and delay the report submission. The Commission emphasized that transfers of personnel involved in the survey could hamper the process, leading to potential delays in completing the report.
Following directives from the Supreme Court, the Commission is tasked with providing recommendations on OBC reservation for the upcoming elections. Nodal officers, assistant nodal officers, and enumerators have been appointed by District Collectors to conduct the survey, gathering data from OBC households between July 10 and July 23. The Commission is expected to submit its report by the second week of August.
The Rajasthan High Court had initially directed the government to hold the elections by July 31. However, meeting this deadline seems challenging as the government insists on awaiting the OBC Commission’s report before proceeding with the elections. In response to the delay, Congress leader Sanyam Lodha has filed a contempt petition in the High Court and lodged a caveat anticipating a government plea for an extension.
