By Najiya O., TwoCircles.net,
Kochi: Rules should be amended in order to ensure that the backward classes do not lose their rightful reservation, suggested the Rajendra Babu Commission report. The Commission which was appointed by the Kerala state government to fix the creamy layer limits of the backward classes submitted its report to Minister AK Balan.
The Commission has also recommended retention of the creamy layer limit of the backward classes as Rs. 4.5 lakhs. The Commission had suggested earlier, in its interim report submitted in November, to fix the creamy layer limit at Rs. 4.5 lakhs and the government had acted accordingly.
It suggested that salary and land ownership should not be made the bases for fixing the creamy layer limit; the state government should take a decision after a socio-economic survey on those who are presently outside the creamy layer limit, etc.
The government will decide on the Commission report after studying it, informed Mr. Balan.
The Commission has suggested amendments to the Service Rule so that half of the vacancies reported should be filled via merit and the other half via reservation, said Justice Rajendra Babu.
As per the rule followed now, even those applicants who are liable to be appointed on merit are appointed in the category of reservation. This has led to widespread loss of opportunities for the backward classes. The Kerala High Court had pointed this out earlier. Now the Commission has sought to amend the rule so that reservation for the backward classes is utilized well.
Muslim organisations as well as some other organisations of the backward classes have long been demanding for such a change in the method of appointment to the government services. However, the implementation of the suggestions put forward in the report will solely depend upon the State Government.