About Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Commission

In the judgment, dated 16.11.1992, of the Supreme Court of India, in Indra Sawhney & Ors. Vs. Union of India & Ors., [(1992) Supp (3) SCC 217 = JT 1992 (6) S.C. 273], the following directions were issued:-

“The Government of India, each of the State Governments and Administrations of Union Territories shall, within four months from today, constitute a permanent body for entertaining, examining and recommending upon requests for inclusion and complaints of over-inclusion and under-inclusion in the lists of other backward classes of citizens. The advice tendered by such body shall ordinarily be binding upon the Government.”

The Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Commission has been constituted as a permanent body under Article 16(4) read with Article 340 of the Constitution of India, in pursuance of the above directions of the Supreme Court.

The Commission is constituted under the Chairmanship of a retired Judge of the High Court with six Members nominated by the Government. The Commissioner/Director of Backward Classes Welfare is the Member-Secretary. The Commissioner/Director of Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities Welfare is the Ex-officio Member.

The permanent Commission was first constituted in the year 1993 under the Chairmanship of former Judge of the High Court of Madras, Justice Thiru K.Shanmukham, who held the office from 15.3.1993 to 15.3.1997. Thereafter, Justice Thiru K.M.Natarajan held the office of the Chairman from 17.3.1997 to 14.3.2002. During the period from 2.12.2002 to 1.12.2005, the Commission was headed by Justice Thiru N.Arumugham. Later, the Commission was headed by Justice Thiru M.S. Janarthanam during the periods from 14.7.2006 to 4.7.2012 and 28.12.2012 to 27.12.2018. Subsequently, from 8.7.2020 to 19.9.2022, Justice Thiru M.Thanikachalam was the Chairman of the Commission. The present Commission is reconstituted under the Chairmanship of Justice Thiru V.Bharathidasan w.e.f. 17.11.2022.