Context:
The Union government has formed a five-member committee to look into distribution of benefits amongst the Scheduled Castes.
Sub-categorisation of SC:
- Process – Creating sub groups within the existing categories of Scheduled Castes
- Aim – For equitable sharing of welfare benefits such as Affirmative action policy
- Earlier attempts – States like Punjab, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu have attempted sub-categorization (but challenged in Supreme Court)
- Recently raised by – Madiga Community
- Constitutional Provisions –
- Article 16(4) – Empowers states to make provisions for reservation in matters of promotion in favour of the SCs and STs if they are not adequately represented in the services under the State.
- Article 341 – Empowers Parliament to make laws on inclusion or exclusion of communities from the list of Scheduled Castes.
- Landmark judgements –
- E.V.Chinnaiah vs State Of Andhra Pradesh, 2004 – Only Parliament has the authority to create and notify SC and ST lists.
- State of Punjab vs Davinder Singh, 2020 – States could decide on the quantum of benefits in the lists of SCs/STs already notified without “tinkering” with them.
Madiga community:
- A Telugu Dalit community
- States – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
- Population – constitutes at least 50% of the total Scheduled Castes in Telangana.
- Occupation – Tannery, leatherwork, small handicrafts, agricultural labourers.
- Status – Listed as Scheduled Castes
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgments that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India would be limited by Article 335 for maintenance of efficiency of administration.
Statement-II: Article 335 of the Constitution of India defines the term ‘efficiency of administration’
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Constitution mentions the term ‘efficiency of administration’ but does not define it.
