By IANS
Jaipur : Rajasthan has become India's first state to constitute a commission for the economically backward classes that would identify their needs and recommend welfare measures, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Singh Rathore said Monday.
"The commission would first identify the people of this section, prepare a list and then analyse their needs," Rathore told IANS.
The commission, officially notified late Saturday, has been constituted on the lines of the centre's commission for economically backward classes. A chairman and two members will be appointed soon, he said.
The body would suggest criteria for identifying economically backward classes, and after studying memorandums submitted by various organisations, it would submit its recommendations to the state government, the minister added.
"It will then recommend welfare measures too," an official said.
Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje had announced that such a commission would be formed in this year's budget presented to the state assembly.
Several caste-based organisations, menwhile, have been demanding reservations for their communities for the last couple of years.