After the inclusion of 76 new castes, the total number of castes in the OBC category in the state will now be 140, which was earlier 64. This decision of the Mamata government is being seen as an exercise to set its social equations before the assembly elections. However, information about which are these new castes has not yet been revealed.

Before the assembly elections in Bengal next year, the Mamata Banerjee-led government has taken a big gamble and decided to include 76 new castes in the state list of Other Backward Classes (OBC).

The recommendations of the State Backward Classes Commission to include 76 new castes on the basis of the recent OBC survey report in the state were approved after discussion in the state cabinet meeting held on Monday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The total number of castes in the OBC category will increase to 140

After the inclusion of these 76 new castes, the total number of castes in the OBC category in the state will now be 140, which was earlier 64. This decision of the Mamata government is being seen as an exercise to set its social equations before the assembly elections. However, information about which these new castes are has not yet been revealed.

There is speculation that this new list of 76 castes may also include many of the 77 castes whose caste certificates were ordered to be cancelled by the Calcutta High Court last year. Out of these 77 castes, 75 were Muslim castes, whose OBC reservation status was revoked by the court order.

The Bengal government had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging the High Court's decision. The Supreme Court also upheld the High Court's decision. The matter is pending in the Supreme Court.

PC:Jagran