OBC Survey – Rajasthan Begins Statewide Exercise Ahead of Local Elections
OBC Survey – The Rajasthan Other Backward Classes Commission is set to launch a door-to-door survey across the state on Friday to gather data on OBC families and determine reservation requirements for upcoming local body polls. The exercise will cover both Panchayati Raj institutions and Urban Local Bodies, where reservation arrangements must be settled before the election process can move forward.
Survey Work Planned Until July 23
Officials associated with the Commission said the field survey is expected to continue until July 23. After the data collection phase ends, the Commission will examine the findings and prepare a detailed report for the Rajasthan government.
The report will play a central role in deciding the level of OBC reservation for the elections. The State Election Commission is likely to announce poll dates only after receiving the recommendations, as the reservation framework needs to be finalised before election notifications are issued.
Commission Raises Concern Over Employee Transfers
The OBC Commission has expressed concern that the state government’s ongoing transfer process could affect the survey schedule. In a communication sent to the Chief Secretary, the Commission pointed out that transfers have been allowed until Friday and that personnel from several departments are being moved to new postings.
According to the Commission, some of these employees are linked to the survey operation. If enumerators or support staff are transferred and formally relieved from their current duties during the survey period, it could interrupt fieldwork and slow down the preparation of the final report.
Staff Changes Could Delay Final Report
The Commission has warned that shifting survey personnel at this stage may create operational difficulties in different districts. The door-to-door exercise requires coordinated work by local teams, and frequent changes in staff could affect both the pace and consistency of the data collection.
It has asked the government to ensure that employees assigned to the survey remain available until the exercise is completed. The Commission believes this will help it meet the proposed timeline for submitting its recommendations.
Supreme Court Directions Shape Reservation Process
The survey is being conducted as part of the process required under Supreme Court directions concerning OBC reservation in local elections. The Commission has been assigned the responsibility of assessing relevant data and recommending the reservation structure for Panchayati Raj bodies and municipal institutions.
Such recommendations are necessary before the state can proceed with elections involving reserved seats for Other Backward Classes. The government has maintained that holding polls without completing this process would not be possible.
Report Expected by Second Week of August
The Rajasthan OBC Commission is expected to submit its report by the second week of August if the survey work proceeds as planned. Once the government receives the document, the State Election Commission may begin preparations for announcing the election programme.
Current expectations suggest that the election schedule could be declared in late August or September. The state may then aim to complete elections for Panchayati Raj institutions and Urban Local Bodies by November.
July 31 Election Deadline Appears Difficult
The Rajasthan High Court had earlier directed the state government to hold the Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Body elections by July 31. However, meeting that deadline now appears challenging because the OBC reservation exercise has not yet been completed.
The state government has said the elections cannot be conducted until the Commission submits its report and the reservation issue is resolved. The progress of the statewide survey, along with the availability of staff, will therefore be closely watched in the coming weeks.