Mandal Commission: Understanding the Controversies


Introduction

Mandal Commission: In 1979, the Mandal Commission was commissioned by the government of the Morarji Desai to investigate the condition of socially and educationally backward classes in India and for the measurement of their upliftment in the chairmanship of B.P. Mandal [ parliamentarian].

Whatever upliftments we are seeing now for the socially and educationally backward classes in India, have a big contribution of Mandal Commission.

This is why It’s important for us to know about Mandal Commission in Detail. Please read the article fully for gaining all the details clearly.

So, let’s start-

What is Mandal Commission?

The Mandal Commission, officially known as the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission, was a commission established by the Government of India in 1979 under the chairmanship of B.P. Mandal. The commission was tasked with identifying socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs) in India and making recommendations for their inclusion in the reservation system for government jobs and educational institutions.

The Mandal Commission submitted its report in 1980, which recommended that 27% of government jobs and places in educational institutions should be reserved for SEBCs, in addition to the existing reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

The implementation of the Mandal Commission's recommendations was controversial and led to protests and violence in some parts of the country. However, the recommendations were eventually accepted and implemented by the government in 1990.

What Were the Suggestions of Mandal Commission?

The Mandal Commission made several suggestions in its report, some of which are as follows:

  • The commission identified socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs) on the basis of various criteria, including social status, economic status, and educational backwardness.

  • The commission recommended that 27% of government jobs and places in educational institutions should be reserved for SEBCs, in addition to the existing reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

  • The commission suggested that the criteria for identifying SEBCs should be periodically reviewed and updated.

  • The commission recommended that the reservation policy should be extended to the private sector as well.

  • The commission suggested that special coaching and training programs should be provided to SEBC students to enable them to compete on an equal footing with others.

  • The commission recommended that measures should be taken to ensure that the benefits of reservation reach the intended beneficiaries and do not lead to the perpetuation of a creamy layer.

  • The commission suggested that measures should be taken to promote the development of SEBCs, including through land reforms, credit facilities, and vocational training programs.

  • The commission recommended that a National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation should be set up to provide financial assistance and other support to SEBCs.

  • The commission suggested that measures should be taken to increase the representation of SEBCs in the political and administrative spheres.

  • The commission recommended that a comprehensive and accurate database of SEBCs should be created to enable better policymaking and implementation.

How Mandal Commission Helped the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes in India?

The Mandal Commission's recommendations helped the socially and educationally backward classes in India in several ways. Here are 10 points on how the Mandal Commission helped these groups:

  • The Mandal Commission's recommendation of 27% reservation for SEBCs in government jobs and educational institutions helped many individuals from these communities to access opportunities that were previously unavailable to them.

  • The reservation policy implemented as per the Mandal Commission's recommendation led to an increase in the representation of SEBCs in various spheres of public life, including politics, bureaucracy, and higher education.

  • The Mandal Commission's recommendation to periodically review and update the criteria for identifying SEBCs helped to ensure that the benefits of reservation reached those who were truly in need of it.

  • The commission's suggestion to extend the reservation policy to the private sector led to the emergence of more job opportunities for SEBCs.

  • The Mandal Commission's recommendation to provide special coaching and training programs helped SEBC students to compete on an equal footing with others and improve their employability.

  • The commission's suggestion to create a National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation provided financial assistance and other support to SEBCs for their development.

  • The Mandal Commission's recommendation to promote the development of SEBCs through land reforms, credit facilities, and vocational training programs helped them to improve their economic status.

  • The commission's suggestion to create a comprehensive and accurate database of SEBCs enabled better policymaking and implementation.

  • The Mandal Commission's recommendation to increase the representation of SEBCs in the political and administrative spheres helped to give them a voice and a say in governance.

  • The Mandal Commission's report brought the issues of SEBCs to the forefront of public discourse and raised awareness about the need for affirmative action to address their problems.

FAQ’s

Q1. What was the purpose of the Mandal Commission?

Ans: The purpose of the Mandal Commission was to identify socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs) in India and recommend measures to improve their representation in government jobs and educational institutions.

Q2. What were the main recommendations of the Mandal Commission?

Ans: The main recommendations of the Mandal Commission were to reserve 27% of government jobs and seats in higher educational institutions for SEBCs.

Q3. Did the Mandal Commission's recommendations lead to the reservation of jobs and seats in educational institutions for socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs)?

Ans: Yes, the Mandal Commission's recommendations led to the reservation of jobs and seats in educational institutions for SEBCs. The reservation policy was implemented by the Indian government in 1990.

Updated on: 15-May-2023

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