SC issues notice to Centre on plea for ‘creamy layer’ like system in SC, ST reservation , Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court is examining a petition to introduce a "creamy layer" system within Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) reservations.
• The petition aims for equitable distribution of reservation benefits among SC and ST communities.
• The court issued notice to the Union government regarding the petition filed by Ramashankar Prajapati.
• The case is scheduled for further hearing on October 10.

Detailed Insights:

• The current reservation policy allegedly benefits socially and economically advanced groups within SCs and STs, leaving the most deprived behind.
• The petition proposes a two-tier reservation system, prioritizing economically weaker sections within SC/ST categories.
• The proposed restructuring aims to refine caste-based reservations by introducing an income-based prioritization mechanism.
• The Supreme Court acknowledged the sensitivity of the reservation policy and the likelihood of divergent views on the matter.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Creamy Layer: A concept used to exclude advanced sections of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from reservation benefits.
• Reservation Policy: A policy providing reserved access to seats in government jobs and educational institutions for certain backward classes.
• Scheduled Castes (SC): A list of historically disadvantaged castes recognized by the Indian Constitution.
• Scheduled Tribes (ST): A list of historically disadvantaged tribal communities recognized by the Indian Constitution.