Creamy Layer for SCs/STs? Supreme Court to Examine Equitable Reservation
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity & Governance (Reservation, Articles 15 & 16, Creamy Layer concept, Important Supreme Court judgments like Indra Sawhney case).
Mains:
GS Paper 2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States; Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes); Structure, organization and functioning of the Judiciary.
Key Highlights from the News
Main Event: The Supreme Court has decided to examine a petition seeking the implementation of the "creamy layer" concept, applicable to Other Backward Classes (OBCs), for reservations concerning Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Petitioner's Argument:
A small, economically well-off and socially influential section within SC/ST categories currently monopolizes the benefits of reservation.
The most oppressed within these groups are not receiving the benefits.
Objective: To ensure the equitable distribution of reservation benefits.
Proposed Mechanism: Implement a two-tier system within SC/ST reservation, giving priority to the economically backward within these categories.
Clarification: This petition does not seek to reduce the current percentage of SC/ST reservation but aims to make it more effective.
Court's Action: The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Central Government on this matter.
COMMENTS