Bhubaneswar: In order to study the population, political representation and political backwardness of socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs) in local self-government institutions, Odisha government today constituted a commission.

The Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department has issued a notification in this regard following a decision of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

Retired Odisha High Court judge Justice Pramath Patnaik has been appointed chairman of the commission. Retired IAS officer Bijay Kumar Prusti will serve as a member, while the department's Special Secretary Sujata Mishra will function as the Member Secretary.

The commission will study the proportion of SEBCs in relation to the total population in local self-government institutions in both rural and urban areas of Odisha.

It will also examine the political representation of SEBCs in these local bodies. Also, the commission will assess the nature and implications of political backwardness of SEBCs.

The exercise is aimed at facilitating appropriate measures to ensure adequate political representation and protect the rights of people belonging to SEBC in local self-government institutions.

The move comes against the backdrop of the state government's initiatives for the welfare and empowerment of the SEBC community.

Earlier, the Chief Minister had announced 11.25 per cent reservation for students belonging to the SEBC category in professional higher education institutions, including engineering and medical colleges.