MK speaks against exclusion of creamy layer among OBCs

New Delhi, Oct 13 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today made a strong case for enforcing reservation to OBCs (Other Backward Classes) in the central services, central educational institutions without any exclusion of the so-called "creamy layer" (affluent sections).

Speaking at the National Integration Council (NIC) meeting here, he said this was necessary to ensure backward and minority communities occupy a level playing field.

Referring to violent and terror incidents in different parts of the country, Mr Karunanidhi suggested formation of elite police groups exclusively for tackling extremists and terrorist elements in the affected states.

In this context, he suggested strengthening of central and state intelligence networks, provision of modern weapon systems, protective gear and required logisitics to those groups and provision of training to the State Police at the training centres of Central Police Forces and Armed Forces, including foreign training centres to adopt latest techniques.

Listing out that various steps that his government had taken to ensure equitable development of all classes of the people, Mr Karunanidhi said a lot of pro-active measures were taken to fulfil the demands of minorities and downtrodden.

The Chief Minister asked the Centre to reimburse the expenditure the state government had incurred for strengthening the 1000-km-long coastline of the state.

''This assistance is crucial to the state governemnt for it is safeguarding the national interest and is defending the International Borderline.'' In this context, he regretted that the attacks on fishermen from Tamil Nadu across the state's coast bordering Sri Lanka was on the increase, despite assurances.

Saying that unresolved inter-state river water disputes, parochial tendencies and agitations in some parts of the country were acting against the solidarity and integration of the nation, Mr Karunanidhi warned that if these were not solved at the national level, they would be detrimental to the interests of the nation in the long run.

In this context, he suggested nationalistion of inter-state rivers, linking of inter-state rivers by constituting National River Water Authority, amicable settlement of outstanding disputes between states by appointing inter-state committees.

UNI SH RSA DS1350