Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Odisha Panel to Study SEBC Representation in Local Bodies
Odisha has created a commission to find out how well socially and educationally backward classes, or SEBCs, are represented in local government.
These local bodies include panchayats and urban local bodies.
Retired judge Pramath Patnaik will lead the commission.
Retired IAS officer Bijay Kumar Prusty and department official Sujata Mishra will also serve on it.
The commission will compare the share of SEBC people in rural and urban populations with their presence in local government.
It will also examine whether these groups face political backwardness.
The government says the study can help it decide how to provide adequate representation and protect their rights.
The notification forming the commission was issued on Wednesday after the state government’s decision.
The Odisha government formed a commission to study SEBC representation in local self-government institutions.
Retired Orissa High Court judge Pramath Patnaik will chair the commission.
Retired IAS officer Bijay Kumar Prusty is a member, and department Special Secretary Sujata Mishra is Member-Secretary.
The panel will compare SEBC population proportions in rural and urban areas with their representation in local bodies.
The study will examine political backwardness and inform possible measures to ensure adequate representation and safeguard SEBC rights.
- Who
- The Odisha government; the commission will be chaired by retired judge Pramath Patnaik, with Bijay Kumar Prusty as a member and Sujata Mishra as Member-Secretary.
- What
- A commission was formed to study SEBC population proportions, political representation, and political backwardness in local self-government institutions.
- When
- The commission was constituted and a notification issued on Wednesday; the articles do not provide a date.
- Where
- Odisha, across rural and urban local self-government institutions, including panchayats and urban local bodies.
- Why
- To provide inputs for possible measures ensuring adequate SEBC representation in local bodies and safeguarding their rights.
Government’s stated rationale
Study findings not yet available
Adequate representation
Government’s stated rationale
The government says the commission’s study can guide provisions to ensure adequate SEBC representation and safeguard their rights in local bodies.
Study findings not yet available
The articles report no opposing stakeholder position or findings about whether SEBC representation is currently adequate; the commission has been tasked with examining the issue.
- Commission
- Commission to study socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs) in local self-government institutions
- Chairman
- Retired Orissa High Court judge Pramath Patnaik
- Members
- Retired IAS officer Bijay Kumar Prusty; department Special Secretary Sujata Mishra as Member-Secretary
- Formation
- Constituted by the Odisha government; the department issued a notification on Wednesday
- Study scope
- SEBC population proportions and representation in rural and urban local self-government institutions
- Purpose
- Provide inputs for appropriate measures on SEBC representation and rights in local bodies
- Earlier measure
- The state had earlier taken steps to provide 11.25% reservation for SEBC students in professional higher educational institutions, including engineering and medical colleges
