Christian, Muslim Dalit Quota: SC grants 8 weeks to Centre

New Delhi, Jan 23 (UNI) National Commission for Scheduled Castes (SC) has recommended reservation for the Christian and Muslim dalits in proportion to the percentage of their population in the country, the Supreme Court was informed today.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices R V Raveendran and J M Panchal granted eight weeks time to the Centre to give its views on recommendations of the Commission.

The Commission, headed by former Union Home Minister Buta Singh, has also recommended that 15 per cent reservation for SCs already inforce, should not be disturbed and the total reservation should not exceed 50 per cent in terms of the direction of the Supreme Court in the Mandal Commission case.

According to the Commission, dalits belonging to Christian and Muslim commmunity also deserve reservation in conformity with the policy of social justice being pursued by the government. It has prayed for direction to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Justice to implement the recommendations of the Commission at earliest possible.

UNI AKS/SC KK RP ND1650