SC Seeks Centre’s Response on Plea for ‘Creamy Layer’ System in SC/ST Reservations

Rapid Summary:

• the Supreme Court will examine a plea to introduce an economic-based “creamy layer” concept within Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) reservation policies.
• Petition filed by Ramashankar Prajapati argues that current reservation disproportionately benefits affluent SC/ST groups while economically weaker sections remain underprivileged.
• The proposal suggests a two-tier system prioritizing economically disadvantaged individuals within SC/ST without reducing overall reservation percentages.
• Advocates for the petitioner stress restructuring aims to refine caste-based reservations through income-based prioritization mechanisms rather than eliminating them.
• A seven-judge Constitution Bench’s decision in State of Punjab vs Davinder Singh earlier called for distinct criteria to identify ‘creamy layers’ among SC/ST, potentially excluding wealthy members from quota benefits.
• Justice B.R. Gavai previously highlighted exclusion as key to achieving real equality under affirmative action policies, focusing on economic capacity rather than solely on caste heritage.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The plea raises an crucial question about equitable distribution of reservation benefits among marginalized communities.Over time, some sections within SC/ST communities have achieved notable socio-economic progress while others remain entrenched in poverty-underscoring intra-community disparities. Introducing income-based criteria for reservations could address such inequalities without undermining the foundational principles of affirmative action.

Though, implementing this reform demands careful deliberation due to its sensitive nature. Reservations are deeply tied to India’s socio-political context and altering them may spark diverse perspectives from different stakeholders. If effectively designed and executed, this framework could enhance inclusivity by directing support toward the most deprived segments while maintaining fairness across all levels of society.

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