Apex court clears decks for SC/ST quota in govt job promotions

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has paved the way for quota in promotions in government jobs. A five-judge constitution bench on Wednesday said there is no need to review the 2006 Nagaraj verdict. The matter need not be referred to a seven-judge constitution bench, said the top court.

The bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said states need not collect quantifiable data on backwardness for giving quota in job promotion to SC/ST employees.

The top court by its 2006 judgment, also known as Nagaraj case, had said: "...state will have to show in each case the existence of compelling reasons, namely backwardness, the inadequacy of representation and overall administrative efficiency, before making provision for reservation in promotion."

The October 19, 2006 judgment had said that the concept of the creamy layer within the SC/ST is not the issue. "There may be individuals who might have overcome the stigma, but the community continues to face the stigma." See P6