PMO turns down Dalit quota hike in line with population
9 May 2008, 0232 hrs IST
Reeling from quota controversies in the run up to polls, PMO recently turned down a proposal of the social justice ministry (MSJ) to increase the quantum of Dalit reservation in proportion to their population: a move which would have entailed increasing their share of jobs from the present 15% to 16.23%.
Though in consonance with the belief that reservation for castes should be in proportion to their population, the proposal has the possibility of starting another legal confrontation over quotas.
A hike would have taken the quantum earmarked for SCs/STs and OBCs beyond 50%, which the Supreme Court had fixed as the upper ceiling.
However, PMO, clobbered by quota battles during its four-year tenure – from self-triggered debate for the extension of quotas to private sector to reserved seats for OBCs in central educational institutions – was in no mood to indulge any fresh activism on caste reservation.
The PMO flagged key questions to be considered for a decision on the demand as it asked the ministry to pause. It said that while considering the demand for Dalit quota in proportion to their population, the likely impact of the move on total percentage of reservation and on the 50% ceiling should be taken into account.
Sources said the PMO has turned down the ministry’s demand for a discussion in the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, saying that it be considered by a committee of secretaries.
In what is a key question, PMO wants the
The present level of quota stands at 49.5% and raising the Dalit quota by 1.23% would clearly breach the SC bar. As per 2001 census, ST population stands at 8.3% against their quota of 7.5% and it could lead to calls for a similar hike.
A similar claim from OBCs could simply throw the process off gear. There is no exact estimate of the backward
population which is given a reservation of 27. The OBC champions have long claimed a strength of 52%. Even though it is regularly claimed to be much less, even the critics admit it would be at least 40%.
PMO’s decision to virtually ground the proposal for ‘proportional caste quota’ comes after a top ministerial group looking into dalit issues gave a similar view. Considering the same demand, the sub-group said the 50% ceiling was sacrosanct and its violation would mean ¶reverse discrimination¶.
Politically, Congress is averse to any caste polarisation in the run-up to a poll-packed year, fearing that it risks losing its middle-class, upper caste support base to such aggressive social justice moves. The party has been alert since the OBC quota issue led to an uproar and a massive churn within the party.
(subodh.ghildiyal@timesgroup.com)
