Bihar panel to look into issue of upper caste poor

Fulfilling an election promise,the Nitish Kumar government will constitute a Uccha Jati Ayog,an upper caste commission,that will explore ways and means to provide justice to the poor among the upper castes. The commission is likely to suggest a 10 per cent reservation in jobs for the poor among the upper caste.The upper castes comprise 16 per cent of the state’s population and Nitish has inducted 11 upper caste ministers,including Narendra Singh,Gautam Singh and Janardhan Singh Sigriwal,Nitish Mishra,Giriraj Singh and Chandramohan Roy,in his 30-member Cabinet this time. Cabinet Secretary Afzal Amanullah said: “The Cabinet has given a nod to set up Uchcha Jati Ayog as soon as possible.” The Cabinet,he added,also discussed the need for a study on the health and education related problems of the needy among upper castes. CM Nitish Kumar said: “The commission will conduct a comprehensive study of problems faced by economically backward among upper caste groups.”The state already has commissions for SC/ ST,EBC s and Mahadalits. While RJD leader Lalu Prasad and LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan decided not to comment on the move,Bihar Congress spokesperson Premchanda Mishra called the panle a “complete hogwash”. He said: “Can Nitish Kumar tell us how many recommendations of sundry commissions set up by him have been honoured? If he is so concerned about the upper caste,let him give the deputy CM’s post to an upper caste individual.”