SC rejects Centre's review plea seeking OBC status for Jats

Supreme Court (SC) has rejected the review pleas filed by the Union Government and Jat organisations seeking OBC status to the Jat community.
Union Government and Jat organisations had filed a plea filed in SC seeking revival of apex court’s previous verdict which had declared OBC status to Jat community is unconstitutional.
Background

• Then UPA II government in 2014 had granted OBC status to the Jat community in terms of socially and educationally backwardness for reservation in jobs and educational institution.
• NCBC Report: Prior to granting reservation status, National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) in its report had advised the government to grant OBC status to Jats.
• In its report, NCBC had clearly mentioned that community is not socially and educationally backward, but it is entitled to a share in 27% OBC quota in jobs and admission to educational institutions.
• The NCBC also had mentioned that Jat community is adequately represented in armed forces, government services and educational institutions.
• SC Ruling: In March 2015, SC had struck down this controversial decision of Union Government by declaring it unconstitutional and had termed it as a reflection of negative and retrograde governance. Later, NDA government also defended the UPA’s decision in the Supreme Court.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2015