Panel for 27 per cent quota to orphans

The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) passed a resolution that destitute orphaned children from general categories should get 27 per cent reservation along with OBCs for admission in government schools and jobs.

“The resolution was passed by the commission last week stating that those children who have lost their both parents and are below the age of 10 should be included in the OBC list and are eligible for reservation at par with all OBC castes,” said NCBC member Ashok Saini told media. Mr Saini said this comes with a condition that there is no guardian to take care of these destitute orphan children and they are admitted to either government or government-aided orphanages and schools.

The copy of the resolution has been sent to the social justice ministry, Mr Saini said. According to sources, the NCBC proposal will be considered at the top-most political authority level and it may require a Cabinet approval.

Tamil Nadu, which has already been giving reservation to the destitute orphaned children under the state OBC list for the last three years, has also requested the Centre to include orphans in the Central OBC list.

Besides Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Rajasthan are two states which have included orphans and destitute children in the Central OBC list.

In a similar move, the NCBC had earlier recommended for reservation to the transgenders under the existing 27 per cent quota meant for OBCs.

But the ministry dropped the provision after protests from OBC groups, and there was no mention of reservation for transgenders in the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill which was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August.