New Delhi**:** RJD and SP on Monday accused the government of denying OBC candidates appearing for all-India services examinations, a chance to get into IAS and IPS in the name of creamy-layer formula, a charge the Centre rejected.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav of RJD and Dharmendra Yadav of SP claimed that the government was using the creamy-layer formula as a tool to “strangulate” OBC candidates by denying them entry into top services the IAS and IPS.
But the government hit back, saying the members of the two parties were trying to “portray a wrong picture”. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the government is “ready” for any change in the formula.
“The rule on creamy layer is in place since UPA rule in 2004. You are painting a wrong picture——we are just following the same rule,” Ananth said, adding that the BJP and the NDA government are committed towards reservation for OBCs.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh clarified that information is sought from OBC candidates about creamy layer to avoid court cases by other candidates. “Their interests are not harmed. It is sought to avoid litigation,” he said.
Singh assured that he was ready to get the issue examined, even though there was no confusion. Some members claimed that following the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission recommendations, children of government employees working in the lower rung cannot make it to services like IAS and IPS as the income criteria in the creamy layer formula creates hindrances.
Hukum Deo Narain Yadav of BJP said the National Commission for Backwards should be granted constitutional status to give it more teeth in tackling cases of violation of OBC rights.