The Delhi Commission for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) is set to carry out a survey of 13 more castes that have sent their representations for inclusion in the OBC category over the last eight years.

These groups include Gorkha (Darjeeling) and other communities of converted Christians and Muslims that have not been included in the OBC category so far.

The commission, headless for eight years, has a new chairperson. While the last chairperson of the commission was former Justice G M Lodha in 2001, the government appointed Chattar Singh as the chairperson in January 2008.

“We have got representations from these communities for inclusion in the OBC category. We have already floated tenders to carry out a survey of these communities to verify their status,” Singh said.

Singh said that once the study is done, a proposal would be sent to the Delhi government for inclusion of these castes into the OBC category.

The commission is also considering a proposal to raise the current ceiling in terms of income/wealth to determine the ‘creamy layer' from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, Singh said.

Commission sources said a notification to include the Tanwar sub-caste Raya has been sent to Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna for approval.

The 13 other castes and communities that have sent their representations to the Commission for OBC status include Nonia (UP), Charag Mahabrahmin (Haryana), Bishnupriya Manipuri (Manipur), Gorkha (Darjeeling), Realhalwai (Muslim tribes from UP), Godee (Bihar), Barujibi (West Bengal), Sudi (Bihar), Gada Biradari (Vaishnavas), Devangar/Sedar (Tamil Nadu), Ezhuthachan/Kaduppattan (Kerala) and Raya (sub-caste of Tanwar).