No quota without quantifiable data

Context: The Madras High Court recently quashed the 10.5% special reservation for Vanniyakula Kshatriyas with the overall 20% quota for Most Backward Classes (MBC) and Denotified Communities (DNC). It has again highlighted the importance of quantifiable data as a prerequisite for reservation in education and employment.

Is there a need for an exhaustive study?

It is a fact that no exhaustive study has been done to collect quantifiable data on the representation of different communities in education and employment since the second BC Commission (1982-85).

The quantifiable data are required for providing any form of quota in favour of any community. The Constitutional stipulation of adequate representation in the services has to be met along with that of social and educational backwardness for any community to become eligible for reservation in employment.

The Tamil Nadu government should commission a study to compile the data on the way the benefits of reservation got distributed among BCs, MBCs and the DNCs.

What is the need for internal reservation?

The need for internal reservation has been felt for more than one reason. Even in the 1970s and 1980s, two BC Commissions found that certain sections of communities are more backward than others. The situation has got compounded in the absence of application of creamy layer rule.

What should the Tamil nadu Government do now?

As the 69% quota law came into force in 1994, the government can have the data compiled since then with regard to education and employment in government institutions, and make them available in public domain.

Depending on the finding of the proposed study, the government can frame its policies accordingly to ensure equitable distribution of benefits of reservation and social justice.

Source: This post is created based on the article “No quota without quantifiable data” published on 6^th April 2022 in The Hindu.