Economic reservation: Centre's obscure move for general criteria

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In addition to NEET medical entrance, the Central Government has decided to increase the income limit to Rs 8 lakh from this year for economic reservation in appointments in government and public sector institutions and school admissions. The Central Government has stated in its affidavit that the amount of Rs 8 lakh need not be changed as the time for medical admission this year is very short and the income limit will be reconsidered next year.

The medical counseling for admission in the central quota was fixed from October 24 to 29 last year. When the case was heard on October 7, the apex court had questioned the relevance of raising the income limit for forward reservation to Rs 8 lakh. The apex court sought an immediate explanation from the Centre on whether it had changed the backwardness of the country by setting the same criteria for backward reservation and forward reservation. However, the Centre had on November 24 announced that it would appoint a three-member committee to look into the matter. The court allowed the center four weeks to file a new affidavit and stayed the medical admission process until then. The Centre submitted the affidavit on Friday on the basis of the committee's report. The apex court, which had earlier expressed grave concern over raising the income limit to Rs 8 lakh, will now decide what to do next.