Creamy layer under OBC quota provides common platform to all: Mukherjee

New Delhi, Apr 18 : Backing the Other Backward Class quota, Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said today that the Government's aim behind including the 'creamy layer' under the reservation scheme was to provide a common platform to all.

Speaking at the 'Indo-Arab Investment' Conclave in New Delhi he said: Whatever the Supreme Court has suggested, we will try to implement it and thereafter as far as the creamy layer is concerned, the government's perception is quite clear."

"When we amended the constitution we wanted to make a distinction between the opportunities of higher education and the opportunities available for job reservation. Creamy layer concept was elected for the job reservation that's why we brought amendment to the Constitution," he added.

"The opportunities should be opened to all OBCs, including those belonging to creamy layer. However the supreme court's judgment is binding," he said.

The government has decided that it will abide by the Supreme Court's order on 27 per cent quota or reservation for the OBCs in elite educational institutions run by the government.

On November 1, 2007, the apex court had reserved its judgment after a hearing that lasted 25 days on petitions challenging the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006.

The petitions had said that the creamy layer or the more affluent sections among the backward classes should not get benefits of affirmative action, as it would further divide society.

ANI