Cong backs Karunanidhi on creamy layer review

On a day when Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding a review...

On a day when Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding a review of “stringent parameters” defining the creamy layer among OBCs, the ruling Congress backed its ally saying that the Government should examine the need to redefine the creamy layer that was excluded from the OBC quota ambit by the Supreme Court.

The Congress also sought to impress upon the Government the party’s backing for a Bill to extend reservation to private unaided institutions in the wake of the court verdict. “After the Supreme Court verdict validated the 93rd Amendment, we are much clearer

about the need for a law to bring in reservation in private unaided institutions. The Centre and state governments can enact legislation in this regard,” said AICC media cell chairperson Veerappa Moily at a special press briefing on Saturday.

As for the creamy layer, Congress sources said during Rajiv Gandhi’s time the Congress Working Committee had passed a resolution to the effect that creamy layer should not get the benefit of reservation.

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That the party was ready to revise its stance on this issue was evident from Moily’s remarks on Saturday: “The Government can examine the need to redefine creamy layer. All members of the UPA have to decide.”

In his letter to the PM, Karunanidhi requested him to take immediate measures for a “fair and just” review of the various parameters, including the income limit of Rs 2.5 lakh defining the creamy layer. The DMK leader said the general perception was that even the children of Group D employees might not be able to enjoy benefits of reservation under the income limit.

The Prime Minister, who also spoke to Karunanidhi on phone, was said to have told the Tamil Nadu CM that he had asked HRD Minister Arjun Singh to study the pros and cons of the verdict, including the creamy layer, with all allies and political parties for evolving a consenus.