Need sub-classification of SCs, STs for quota: Centre
Satya Prakash
New Delhi, February 7
The Centre on Wednesday supported sub-classification of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for “proliferation and deepening of reservation benefits” and to ensure a “trickle-down effect of reservations.”
Noting that reservation benefits available are “limited in nature” and “the said seats and the posts are even otherwise a scarce commodity”, the Centre said, therefore, it’s required to be re-distributed rationally.
Move will benefit ‘Mazhabi Sikhs’
If the Supreme Court accepts the Centre’s views, it will benefit ‘Valmikis’ and ‘Mazhabi Sikhs’ who will get preference in public employment in Punjab within the quota meant for SCs
“Considering the scarce nature (of government jobs and seats in educational institutions), it is important that the commodity is distributed efficiently and for the actual purpose it seeks to achieve,” Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta said his written submission before a seven-judge Bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud which was examining the issue of sub-categorisation in Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for quota benefits.
“In order to achieve the actual objective behind reservations, the rationalisation is key (while maintaining the levels and extent of reservations) and proliferation and deepening of the reservation benefits is necessary. The sub-classification of the said benefits is a key measure which goes a long way to achieve the said objective. This ensures that there is a trickle-down effect of reservations,” Mehta submitted on the second day of hearing on the contentious issue.
