Sub-quota row: govt submits documents in SC

A day after the Supreme Court pulled up the government for filing an appeal without supporting documents, the central government on Tuesday submitted all "relevant" material on the basis of which it carved out 4.5% sub-quota for socially and economically backward communities belonging to minorities in central educational institutions.

A day after the Supreme Court pulled up the government for filing an appeal without supporting documents, the central government on Tuesday submitted all "relevant" material on the basis of which it carved out 4.5% sub-quota for socially and economically backward communities belonging to minorities in central educational institutions.

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The 848-page affidavit does not include any immediate study to support the government decision on sub-quota. It, however, contains old commission reports and studies reflecting empirical data about the OBCs. The documents were filed after a bench of Justice KS Radhakrishnan and Justice KS Khehar permitted additional solicitor general Gourab Banerji to do so in the case.

The documents placed includes the Justice Sachar Committee report that advocated reservation for backward Muslims.

A list of backward caste Muslim prepared in 1993 too has been attached. To strengthen its case, the Centre has also cited example of states such as Karnataka and Kerala that have introduced reservation for backward Muslims.

Refusing to stay the Andhra Pradesh High Court's May 28 order, quashing the government order creating the sub-quota, the bench had on Monday questioned the rationale behind carving it out of the exiting 27% quota meant for OBCs.

The court is scheduled to hear the matter on Wednesday.