Jaipur: A sharp variation in estimates of Rajasthan’s Other Backward Classes (OBC) population has triggered a political controversy, with the latest OBC (Political Representation) Commission survey putting the figure at around 43%, or 3.59 crore, against the 52% estimate cited by State Backward Classes Commission in 2019.The discrepancy has raised questions about the methodology used in the two exercises and which estimate should form the basis for determining political representation and reservation in the state. The opposition has challenged the current commission’s survey findings and raised concerns over its functioning.The nearly nine-percentage-point variation has led to questions over whether the two figures are directly comparable, given that they were generated through different exercises and for different purposes.According to the statement of objects and reasons of Rajasthan Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions in the State and of Appointments and Posts in Services under the State) (Amendment) Bill, 2019, the population of backward classes in Rajasthan was estimated at 52% by State Backward Classes Commission.The then Congress govt cited the estimate in Assembly while introducing the 2019 amendment providing reservation for the Most Backward Classes (MBCs). The figure was based on an assessment by Rajasthan Backward Classes Commission.The latest estimate has emerged from OBC (Political Representation) Commission, constituted to assess OBC representation in local bodies. Its exercise involved a survey of OBC families and put the OBC population at around 43%, equivalent to about 3.59 crore people. Govt estimates put Rajasthan’s total population at 8.38 crore.Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully demanded that the state govt make OBC (Political Representation) Commission’s report public, questioning why its findings had been kept confidential.Jully alleged that BJP govt was attempting to “pit one community against another” and sought transparency on the findings before reservation decisions were taken.
