The matter has become controversial as there has not been a unanimity within the UPA government on inclusion of creamy layer for OBC quotas in higher educational institutions. “Ultimately, the decision has to be taken by the PMO and the Union Cabinet on this issue,” the source said. The ministry, however, has also redrafted the Bill to include a provision for a “regulator” as the Standing committee has also suggested that “a suitable mechanism to monitor the implementation of reservations needs to be considered”.

Shastri Bhawan officials, however, are cold to the idea of introducing sub-quota for women, as suggested by the Standing committee. The committee has called upon the government to “ensure that women in this scheme of things do not get sidelined as usually happens”.

The ministry is also contemplating introducing a provision for amending the Bill, whereby the schedule of exempted institutions from OBC quotas — like premier research institutions — can be amended by the government only after an approval from the Parliament. Although the panel has expressed displeasure at the arbitrary manner in which the institutions have been exempted, it has not asked for their inclusion.