THE  MODERN  RATIONALIST

As per the recommendations of the Mandal Commission, 27% reservation for OBCs in employment opportunities in the Union Government and public undertakings were provided from 1989 by the Government of Hon’ble V.P.Singh, the saviour of Social Justice. . Similarly 27% reservation in admission into the central institutions of higher education was given from 2006-07 onwards.

A Parliamentary Standing Committee for SCs and STs was constituted long back with a limited members belonging to SC and ST in both the houses of Parliament. This Committee will supervise whether the welfare schemes intended for SCs and STs are properly implemented and whether the system of reservation in admission into the educational institutions and in employment under various departments of Government of India and other public undertakings are properly and effectively implemented.

The Dravidar Kazhagam as well as many other OBC organizations were demanding the Govenment of India to constitute a similar Parliamentary Standing Committee for OBCs also and the Government of India finally decided recently to create a Parliamentary Standing Committee for OBCs. This committee will be supervising the proper implementation of the welfare schemes drawn for the benefit oif the OBCs and the proper implementation of the policy of reservation in education and employment.

We whole heartedldy welcome the decision of the Government of India to constitute a Parliamentary Standing Committee for OBCs and thank all those who have strived for the creation of the committee. We particularly thank Tmt.Sonia Gandhi, the President of the AICC and the Chairperson of UPA, Hon’ble Thiru Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, Hon’ble Thiru V.Narayansamy, Union Minister of State of Personnel, Hon’ble Thiru Bansal, Union Minister who have moved the motion in the Lok Sabha, Thiru Sudarsana Nachiyappan, M.P., who is a staunch advocate for the principle of Social Justice and Thiru V.Hanumantha Rao, Chairman of the Forum of OBC members of Parliament and several other activists who strived hard for this cause.

Actually the Mandal Commission has recommended reservation of 52% for OBCs in admissions to educational institutions and in employment opportunities. But the Governement provided only a reservation of 27% for OBCs, probably due to the so called ceiling of 50% on reservations imposed by the Supreme Court of India. As there is a reservation of 15% for SCs and 7.5% for STs, the Government might have probably thought it fit to provide the balance of 27% available out of the 50% ceiling for OBCs. Even this 27% reservation in appointments is not properly implemented in many departments particularly in the Higher Judiciary, which is still a monopoly of upper castes.

The population of the OBC in India is more than 60 crores, out of the total population of 120 crores. They form part of more than 50% of the total population and vote bank.

The Government of India has declared that a reservation of 4.5 % will be provided to the Muslims out of the reservatiffon of 27% intended for the OBCs. With this the actual reservation of OBCs will come down to 22.5%. The Government of India has since included 250 castes recommended by the National Commission for Backward Classes and another 729 castes increasing the number of castes in the list to 3000. The reservation of 22.5% now available for the OBCs, who constitute more than 50% of our population is quite inadequate. It is therefore becomes imperative that the reservation for OBCs is to be raised to 52% as recommended by the Mandal Commission.

The ceiling of 50% for total reservation imposed by the Supreme Court in Balaji Case is only ‘Obiter Dicta’ (observation) an idea that does not form part of the judgement. The ruling of the Supreme Court was misinterpreted by the vested interests of the higher caste people and media.

In Tamil Nadu a total 69% reservation is in force from the year 1980 and upheld by the Supreme Court. What harm did it bring for the State? Nothing. Can anybody deny the fact that the standard of administration as well as education is far superior than the non-reservation quota states of North. It is also equally important to vest judicial powers to the National Commission for OBCs, so that it could function and discharge its duties effectively and achieve social justice.

Hence, the Government of India should come forward boldly to increase the reservation to OBCs from the present 27% to 52%, as recommended by the Mandal Commission. We put forward this request, demand to Hon’ble Tmt. Sonia Gandhi and Hon’ble Thiru Manmohan Singh. If the demand-request is considered by the UPA, there is no doubt that the majority of the OBCs will support the government. Let us hope that the Prime Minister and Chairperson of UPA will take a favourable decision in this matter.