Udit Raj criticises SC order on 'creamy layer' in SC/STs

New Delhi, Nov 8 (UNI) All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations Chairman Udit Raj today criticised the Supreme Court's October 19 order extending the 'creamy layer' formula to SC/STs.

Even when the matter was not before it to decide, the Supreme Court extended the formula, applicable to OBCs till now, to SC/STs also, he said.

OBCs and SC/STs could not be equated as reservations for SC/STs derived its authority from the Constitution while OBC reservation was provided by the apex court, he added.

For this reason alone, the court could not effect any change in SC/STs reservations, only Parliament had this power, Mr Raj said.

''Besides, what is wrong if about 10,000 SC/STs in the creamy layer continued to enjoy the benefits of reservation. It was all right if about five per cent of SC/STs ''misused'' the system, there were more people abusing it by using fake certificates,'' he added.

Extending the creamy layer formula to SC/STs was an attempt to ''divide and rule'' them, he further added.

Expressing disappointment at the failure of the Congress government at the Centre to introduce reservations in the private sector and fill up (SC/ST) vacancies in various government departments, he announced that a rally would be organised in the capital on December 3 to create pressure on the government on this account.

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