HYDERABAD: The central government made it clear before the High Court on Tuesday that sub-categorisation of "Other Backward Classes" belonging to "minorities" was for more equitable distribution of benefits of reservation amongst the castes/communities included in the broad category of OBC (non-creamy layer).
The Centre, in its affidavit filed before the court persuant to its notice on a plea challenging the 4.5 percent sub-quota to minorities, defended notifying the sub-quota. It said it had the power to determine and notify OBCs without amending the Central Educational Institutions Act. The gazette notification dated December 22, 2011 did not take out 4.5 percent of 27 percent seats meant for socially and educationally backward classes.
Dealing with several public interest litigation petitions challenging the central government's decision to create sub-quota of 4.5 percent reservation to notified minority groups out of 27 percent reservation favouring the OBC listed groups, a division bench comprising CJ Madan B Lokur and justice PV Sanjay Kumar adjourned hearing to April 3.