Avoiding SC face-off, Govt keeps out OBC creamy layer

NEW DELHI, APRIL 17: Exactly a week after the Supreme Court cleared the 27% OBC quota law with the crucial “creamy layer” rider, the UPA Government today decided to abide by the verdict and exclude the creamy layer without effecting any changes in its definition, government sources told The Indian Express.

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) today met and approved the resolution to exclude the “socially and economically advanced” among the OBCs — commonly referred to as the creamy layer — from the ambit of OBC quotas in higher educational institutions.

The Cabinet did not tinker with the creamy layer norms, which were set in 1993 and endorsed by the Mandal judgement, and were amended in 2004.

Sources said the Cabinet’s political panel, which has a significant presence of pro-creamy layer leaders, including RJD’s Lalu Yadav, LJP’s Ram Vilas Paswan, DMK’s T R Baalu, was persuaded to exclude the creamy layer since the UPA did not want another possible face-off with the judiciary.

Last week, HRD minister Arjun Singh had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discussed possibilities for a redefinition of the creamy layer, including raising the current annual income criterion of Rs 2.5 lakh factoring in Inflation and the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations.

However, the PM, it is learnt, was not in favour of any change in the creamy layer as of now.

Now, official sources said the government will issue a notification referring to the 1993 order (as amended in 2004) outlining the creamy layer criterion.

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