The Hindu : Front Page : Karunanidhi clarifies on Baalu’s demand

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Karunanidhi clarifies on Baalu’s demand

Special Correspondent

Union Minister concurs with clarification

CHENNAI: Chief Minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi has distanced himself from a plea made by Union Minister T.R. Baalu to raise the income ceiling for Other Backward Classes to avail themselves of the benefit of reservation in jobs and education.

He told the Assembly on Thursday there was no change in the stance of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam opposing the concept of a ‘creamy layer’ among the oppressed classes for reservation. It has consistently opposed this and would do so in future.

During Zero Hour, when Pattali Makkal Katchi president G.K. Mani drew his attention to reports about a petition submitted by the DMK leader and Minister to United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi in which an income criterion had been included, Mr. Karunaidhi said: “If it has been published in that manner, it is wrong. If T.R. Baalu has spoken in that manner, then it is not [in line with] DMK policy.”

Mr. Karunanidhi said merely because the court had made an observation about the creamy layer, the victory [27 per cent quota] did not cease to be a victory. His party would discuss the issue internally and with allied parties and firm up a strategy

When contacted over the phone, Mr. Baalu, who was in New Delhi, said the DMK had consistently opposed the creamy layer concept. The question was if those standing for reservation were in favour of getting the 27 per cent reservation verdict implemented this year itself. Hence, it was imperative to look at short-term as well as long-term solutions.

Mr. Baalu said that as per the revised 2004 norms an income ceiling of Rs. 2.5 lakh was fixed for availing of reservation. This was as per a 1993 Government Order which had then fixed the ceiling as Rs.1 lakh. When the G.O. was issued, one of the rules framed was that a review had to be carried out every three years with respect to the annual income. There has been no review since 2004.

It was with the intention of ensuring that all those belonging to the oppressed classes got the benefit of reservation that he suggested that the Rs.2.5-lakh limit be raised to Rs.10 lakh, Mr. Baalu said. “This is purely a short-term measure to ensure that we comply with the Supreme Court’s directive. In this too, I have insisted that agricultural income should not be included.”

As far as the DMK is concerned, its president Mr. Karunanidhi will announce the long-term solutions that will be chalked out after discussions on April 18, he added.

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