The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Creamy layer

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Thursday, Apr 24, 2008
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Creamy layer

The Parliamentary Forum of Other Backward Class MPs has unanimously rejected the concept of creamy layer laid down by the Supreme Court (April 23). Having won the court approval for the law providing 27 per cent reservation to the OBCs in higher education, the political class, including the OBC leadership, should gracefully accept the judgment in full. Its opposition to the exclusion of the creamy layer from the purview of reservation gives the impression that it is interested more in protecting and promoting the interests of the affluent and the better-off among the OBCs than securing justice for those sections of the OBCs which are in real need of affirmative action.

S. Gurumurthy,

Minneapolis, Minnesota

The percentage of reservation for the OBCs has been calculated considering the entire backward class population, including the creamy layer. If the government wants to allocate seats for only the economically weaker sections among them, it should look at new statistics which takes only their population into account. Providing reservation only to the economically weaker OBCs is against the most important fundamental right to equality.

It is a known fact that the OBC population which comes under the creamy layer is neither well educated nor well placed. Giving reservation to the OBCs after excluding the creamy layer will not serve the intended purpose.

R. Sumathi,

Chennai

The average income of the lower middle class families should be taken as the mean for arriving at the base for calculating the income for the creamy layer. Those who earn more than the average income can be classified as the creamy layer. Along with the income, the educational and employment status of the parent should be considered. If the parent is educated and holds a decent position, the purpose of reservation will be defeated.

K. Panchapagesan,

New Jersey

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