New Delhi: The Union Government is veering toward the view that the 'Creamy Layer' criteria does not apply to SC-ST reservations, an issue emanating from the recent Supreme Court order on sub-classification of the Schedule Caste list.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is understood to have told a delegation of BJP MPs on Friday that the 'Creamy Layer' principle should not apply to the SC-ST quotas, claimed ruling party lawmakers who were part of the delegation that met the PM to express their concern on the issue.
“We told the PM that the Supreme Court decision on (identifying ) creamy layer from SCs/ STs (and their exclusion from reservation benefits) should not be implemented. The PM also said that this should not be implemented,” former Minster and BJP MP Faggan Singh Kulaste told reporters after the meeting with the PM.
Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, when Shiv Sena-UBT MP Bhausaheb Wakchaure raised the issue, Law Minister Arjun Meghwal said, “The reference to creamy layer in the sub-categorisation of SC/STs is an observation by a Supreme Court judge and not a part of the decision. The member should not make an attempt to mislead the society.”
The PM also shared pictures of the meeting with the delegation on his handle on micro-blogging site X. “Met a delegation of SC/ST MPs today. Reiterated our commitment and resolve for the welfare and empowerment of the SC/ST communities,” he posted.
The delegation comprising over 100 ST and SC BJP MPs from both houses of parliament also submitted a memorandum to the PM.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sikandar Kumar, who was part of the delegation, said that after the Supreme Court's judgment, several MPs from the SC and ST communities were getting phone calls from their constituencies seeking urgent intervention.
“We met PM Modi and raised our concerns. The PM heard all MPs and assured us that the government will work in favor of the MPs,” he said.
A seven-member Constitution Bench of the apex court on August 1 ruled that the SC community does not form a homogenous group and the SC list can be de-classified for equitable distribution of the affirmative actions.
The court also expressed need for identifying and excluding the ‘creamy layer’ or the economically well-offs from the ambit of reservations.