RJD demands review of SC order on quota

Wed, Apr 16 02:27 PM

New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) RJD, a key ally of the UPA government, today demanded that the government go in for a review of the Supreme Court order on the OBC quota issue and even sought a central law to undo, what it called, the "violation" of Constitution on the issue of 'creamy layer'. The demand was made in the Lok Sabha by RJD's Devendra Prasad Yadav, the second largest constituent of the Congress-led coalition.

"Government should set up a committee to look into the matter (exclusion of creamy layer) and bring in a central legislation to have quota for all OBC students. This is not a quota for jobs or poverty alleviation but a quota to provide opportunity," he said during Zero Hour.

Maintaining that 52 per cent of the population would be excluded by the ruling, he said "an iron gate has been erected to bar OBC students from higher learning. There is no provision in the Constitution for an economic criteria.

It is a violation of the constitutional provisions." Yadav's contention drew support from Samajwadi Party leader Ramji Lal Suman as also members of DMK and PMK.

While Suman blamed the government for "deciding not to challenge" the order, BJD's B Mahtab sought a review of the criteria of Rs 2.5 lakh annual income to determine the 'creamy layer'.

"This (Rs 2.5 lakh) parameter was fixed way back in 2003 which has been upheld today by the Supreme Court.

It should be reviewed," Mahtab said. Yadav asked whether a 'D' class government employee's child could be considered as being in the 'creamy layer' as the parent's annual income would be more than Rs 2.

5 lakh. PTI.

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