New Delhi, Nov 20: Continuing its efforts to broaden its base among the other backward castes (OBCs), the BJP-led Government on Friday night included 126 castes in the OBC list for the purpose of job reservation in Central services.The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet on the recommendation of the National Commission of Backward Classes (NCBC) headed by Justice (retd) Shyam Sunder.This is the second time within a month when the government expanded the OBC list.In the first such exercise after the National Democratic Alliance Government returned to power, nearly 100 castes including Jats in Rajasthan were included in the OBC list on October 21.Today's decision covers OBCs in 17 states and Union territories of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Pondicherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
