State non-reserved class commission (EBC commission) submitted their first report with recommendations to the government on Wednesday. It suggested the government extend all benefits available to OBC candidates to those falling under Economically Backward Class (EBC) families from non reserved communities.

"The commission did not keep much difference between OBCs and EBCs," said sources. "The only difference is that EBC candidates or students will not have a quota for education or jobs. The government will now review the recommendation and after the Cabinet's approval, they will become rules for implementation of schemes for EBCs. The social justice and empowerment department will notify the rules."

The state government has allotted Rs 532 crore in this financial year for the welfare schemes for EBCs. The Commission handed over the report to deputy CM Nitin Patel at his office in Gandhinagar in the presence of the chairman Hansraj Gajera.

The commission recommends that EBC students get benefits such as trials in competitive exams for government jobs and training for the civil service examinations, among others. The commission recommends that the age bar for candidates applying for government jobs be extended to 35 years from the current 32 years, and the number of trails be raised to nine from six. It recommends that age bar be raised to 45 years with maximum trials for physically handicapped candidates.

EBC students should get the same benefits as OBC students, namely scholarships, concession in food bills in medical and engineering colleges, prizes for rankers in board examinations, financial assistance for those appearing for NIIT, JEE, NEET or GUJCET, education loans at lower interests and fee subsidy for professional courses.

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