Modi Government To Not Implement 'Creamy Layer' In SC/ST Quotas: Here's Why

In a significant decision, the Union Cabinet has rejected the idea for introduction of creamy layer for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, asserting that the Constitution, as framed by BR Ambedkar, does not include a provision for it.

This decision comes in aftermath of a Supreme Court decision calling for the exclusion of the creamy layer from the scope of reservations SCs and STs, as per a report by The Indian Express.

On Friday (09 August), BJP MPs representing SCs and STs in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

They were reportedly reassured that no actions would be taken based on the Supreme Court's suggestion to exclude the creamy layer from the reservation benefits.

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Earlier, on 1 August, a seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court delivered a crucial ruling with a 6-1 majority, stating that Scheduled Castes do not form a socially homogeneous group and can be sub-categorised by states to ensure that reservation benefits reach the less privileged within these communities.

Four of the judges also supported the idea of excluding the creamy layer from SC/ST quotas.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while addressing the media on Friday night, mentioned that the Cabinet had thoroughly discussed the Supreme Court's judgment on SC/ST reservations.

He emphasised that the NDA government remains committed to upholding the Constitution's provisions, which, according to Vaishnaw, do not allow for a creamy layer within SC/ST reservations.

The BJP has yet to officially comment on the 1 August judgment. However, its ally, the LJP (Ram Vilas), which has a strong Dalit voter base, has expressed disagreement with the verdict and intends to file a review petition.

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