Centre opposes plea for income-based sub-quotas for SC, ST and OBC categories

The Union government submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court in response to a writ petition filed by Ramashankar Prajapati and other petitioners. The plea requested the implementation of sub-quotas for economically disadvantaged individuals within the existing reservation framework for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. The government rejected the proposal, stating that constitutional reservation policies are based on long-standing factors of social exclusion, historical disadvantage and under-representation.

In its response, the Centre asserted that judicial precedent has consistently limited the creamy layer doctrine to Other Backward Classes. The government further argued that the proposed changes fall outside the court's jurisdiction and that existing welfare schemes already incorporate means tests to ensure benefits reach those in need. The administration maintained that reservation criteria cannot be altered based solely on economic status.