Officials at the Ministry of Local Development (MoLD) said an order for the formation of the BCUDC has already been published in the Nepal Gazette. Nomination for the 10-member committee is currently underway. The names will be sent to the Cabinet soon.
“The committee will come be formed once the nomination of its members is approved by the Cabinet,” said an official, who asked to remain unnamed.
As per the ‘BCDUC formation order’ published in the Gazette, Minister for Local Development will be the chairman of the Committee, while a person who has made significant contributions to the welfare of backward community and is nominated by the government would act as its vice chairman.
Sources at the MoLD said they are preparing to nominate Bharat Prasad Mahato, who is the President of the Other Backward Class (OBC) Federation, as vice-chairman of the Committee.
Likewise, the Secretary at MoLD and five other persons including women would be nominated as members of the Committee. The government will prioritize representation in the Committee of all development regions and women members.
The government will also appoint an expert who has knowledge on issues related to backward communities as a member.
People listed in the OBC comprise some 18 percent of the total population of the country, according to the 2001 census. Their population is estimated to be over 4.5 million now.
The OBC includes people who are politically, economically and academically backward and those who are not listed as dalits or indigenous nationalities. Altogether 29 castes are included in the OBC.
“The Committee will be helpful in ensuring rights to backward communities that are neither listed as dalits nor as indigenous groups,” said the OBC Federation President Mahato, who spearheaded the movement for the rights of backward class people.
According to OBC Federation, the castes listed in the OBC include Kushbaha, Kurmi, Kumhar, Kahar, Kewat, Kanu, Kamar, Balwar, Teli, Nuniya, Baniya, Medihar, Mali, Mallaha, Musalman and Baraii.
Similarly, Yadav, Rajbhar, Rajbodh, Rauniyar, Lohar, Lodh, Sudi, Saini, Sonar, Haluwai, Hajam, Amarat and Kewarat are also among the castes included in the OBC.
The then Local Development Minister Rajendra Pandey on August 18, 2006, had formed a committee under Som Lal Subedi to study the issue related to backward class people, following an agitation by the latter. The recommendations of the committee, however, were not implemented.
The government on May 16, 2007 had pledged to form the BCUDC in an agreement reached with the OBC Federation and Rastriya Janata Dal. The MoLD had even allocated Rs 25 million budget for the welfare of OBC people. The budget allocated this fiscal year is Rs 37.5 million.
“Yet, there was no willingness on the part of the government to form the committee as agreed with us,” said OBC President Mahato.
The OBC had launched an indefinite strike in Madhesh starting November 10, 2008 and also picketed Singha Durbar and Local Development Ministry to pressurize the government to meet the demand.
Later on November 16, 2008, the OBC had reached an agreement with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal who had assured the formation of BCUDC at the earliest.
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