Rahul Gandhi urged to ensure social diversity in Kerala Planning Board

A petition has been submitted to Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, expressing concerns over the composition of Kerala State Planning Board. The board, freshly reconstituted, has reportedly failed to represent social diversity adequately, particularly from communities like backward classes, Dalits, and OBCs. The memorandum requests corrective actions to ensure that the board reflects constitutional values such as social diversity, professional excellence, inclusion, and equal opportunity.

Kerala boasts a wealth of eminent professionals from various social strata, including academics, administrators, scientists, and social thinkers. However, many of these experts from backward classes, Muslims, Dalits, and women scholars have either been inadequately represented or entirely absent from the current board composition. Notably, no distinguished women scholars or economists hold a position on the board.

The petition emphasizes that the State Planning Board, responsible for long-term development planning and policy-making, should prioritize professional competence, proven expertise, relevant experience, and broad social representation. Signatories argue that social justice and representation are integral to India's democratic and constitutional values. They urge for an objective examination of their concerns and necessary measures to enhance social representation within the board.