Bhubaneswar, 23 November (H.S.): Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan has urged the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) to include 14 communities from Odisha—including the Khandayat community—in the Central List of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

In a post on X, Pradhan informed that he has written to NCBC Chairman Hansraj Ahir, requesting that all communities currently recognised as Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) in Odisha be incorporated into the central OBC list. The communities include Khandayat, Paika, Chasa Paika, Alia, Paikali, Kalingi Shudra Khandayat, Mahanayak Shudra, Oda-Khandayat, Bayalisha, Oda, Oda Paika, Oda Paiko, Haladia Teli, and Rajashribalasi/Balasi.

Pradhan highlighted that several communities classified as SEBC by the Odisha government are not listed as OBCs at the central level, resulting in the loss of key benefits such as reservation in central government employment, admissions in centrally funded educational and professional institutions, and access to various welfare schemes.

He stressed that the inclusion of these communities in the central OBC list would significantly support their social and economic advancement and help ensure their rightful entitlements.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda