New Delhi, Oct 03: Apparently keeping an eye on the elections, the Union Cabinet tonight decided to accord reservation for Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), not covered by the existing reservation policy, and set up a commission to elicit the views of state governments and work out modalities in this regard. A meeting of the cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, decided to amend clause four of Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution to incorporate the word 'economically backward class', Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters here.

She said that an additional clause would be added in Article 16 to empower the states to fix any quantum of reservation in favour of any backward class, including EBCs.

The commission, consisting of chairman, four members and a secretary, would work out modalities in consultation with state governments and union territory administrations.
The panel, which would have a one-year tenure, would recommend the quantum of reservation, suggest criteria for identification of EBCs and present a report to the president.

Bureau Report