Tamil Nadu Government on Monday decided to withdraw the exclusive 3.5 per cent reservation for Christians in educational institutions and government services following representations from the community that the provision had deprived it of certain benefits.
A group of Christian leaders, led by Arch Bishop of Mylapore, Rev Father Chinnappa, on Monday called on Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and told him that the exclusive reservation had deprived the community of certain benefits enjoyed under the reservation as backward community, an official release said.
The exclusive reservation had reduced the number of students admitted to the colleges and in government services, they said and requested that the old system of reservation under backward category be restored for them.
The Chief Minister, after hearing their plea, admitted that there was a problem and said the law which provided for reservation for Christians and Muslims would be amended to restore the old system for the Christian community. However, the 3.5 per cent reservation for Muslims would continue.
At present the state has 50 per cent quota for backward classes of which 20 per cent is reserved for most backward classes (MBCs). Of the remaining 30 per cent for backward classes, seven per cent exclusive reservation was carved out for Christian and Muslim communities at 3.5 per cent each early this year.
{{/usCountry}}At present the state has 50 per cent quota for backward classes of which 20 per cent is reserved for most backward classes (MBCs). Of the remaining 30 per cent for backward classes, seven per cent exclusive reservation was carved out for Christian and Muslim communities at 3.5 per cent each early this year.
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