CWC may deliberate on creamy layer issue

New Delhi, Oct 29 (UNI) With pressure mounting from the UPA allies to take a firm stand on the controversial Supreme Court verdict excluding the creamy layer in the SCs and STs from the benefit of reservation in government jobs, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) is likely to meet here shortly to consider the issue.

A Congress spokesperson told UNI that CWC, the highest policy making body of the Congress, might meet sometime next week the CWC meeting is due as it has not met for a long time, he added.

The Congress so far has been unable to formulate its stand on the apex court decision, which has also put a ceiling on quota at 50 per cent, on the plea that it will study and analyse the apex court verdict before taking a stand.

Opinions are divided in the Congress on the knotty issue of restricting the creamy layer in the SCs and STs from the benefit of quota. While one section believes that the only way out to neutralise the apex court judgement is to go in for a constitutitonal amendment. The other section is opposed to taking recourse to this option lest it should trigger off a confrontation between the legislature and the judiciary with the apex court overruling the amendment.

The Congress will also consult all its UPA allies on the matter while the Congress-led UPA Government may hold an all party meeting to come out with a solution.

Amid the Congress dilemma over the issue, DMK chief K Karunanidhi, in a letter to all the Chief Ministers, has asked them to involve their states in the issue before the Supreme Court whether the 9th Schedule of the Constitution could remain beyond the scrutiny of the court.

UNI YS SK Mir BST1147