Paswan seeks reservation benefits for 'creamy layer' of OBCs

The Lok Janshakti Party today demanded that the government should not exclude the 'creamy layer' of the Other Backward Castes (OBCs) from reservation and other benefits to ensure that the 27 percent quota meant for them is filled up.
In a press conference here, Paswan said only six to seven percent OBC seats have been filled up until now after the implementation of creamy layer norm on November 16, 1992.
Earlier on Thursday, the Union Cabinet had raised the income criterion from Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 6 lakh per annum for applying the creamy layer restriction for applying the creamy layer restriction on socially advanced persons.

The 'creamy layer' bars the affluent among OBCs from reservation benefit on the basis of family income.
Paswan demanded that a review petition should be filed in the apex court appealing that the order should not be applied till 27 percent seats meant for OBCs in government jobs were filled up.
The LJP chief said in the case of Most Backward Classes, the order of creamy layer should not be made applicable at all. He noted that the share of Most Backward Classes in government employment at present is almost negligible.

Later, responding to media queries, Paswan said he wanted the Congress, RJD and LJP to put up a joint fight against the NDA in Bihar.

Paswan said Congress should realise that JD(U) led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar would continue to be with BJP even if it named Narendra Modi as its Prime Ministerial candidate. He appealed to Congress president Sonia Gandhi to rally secular parties for the forthcoming elections like she had done earlier in 2004.
In a question related to the IPL spot-fixing controversy, Paswan said the Indian Premier League should be banned because if a particular player comes under a cloud then doubts are raised against others too. He added that good players should not participate in the cash-rich T20 tournament.

Paswan also opposed the Delhi University's move to go for four-year graduation course, saying that such changes should be made after a consensus at the national level.