CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
The Madiga community, which accounts for more than half of Telangana's Scheduled Caste (SC) population, has long demanded SC sub-categorization. Their argument is that, despite being the largest SC group numerically, they have been denied reservations and other government benefits intended for SCs. The smaller but relatively advanced Mala community in Telangana has reaped the majority of these benefits.
Disputes About Being Left Out
For decades, Madigas have complained that they are barred from receiving reservations in education and jobs, as well as other schemes aimed at uplifting SCs. They claim that the Mala community, which has a higher socioeconomic status, has received the majority of government benefits. Madigas remains overwhelmingly backward.
The Case For Sub-quotas
Madigas contends that sub-categorizing SCs with a separate quota will ensure equitable access to entitlements proportionate to their population. They argue that an umbrella SC quota with no internal demarcations concentrates benefits in the hands of the privileged Mala community. Several commissions have also backed subcategorization.
Political Assurances
Madiga demands gained traction ahead of the 2018 Telangana assembly elections, thanks to their large voting base. Major political parties promised to take corrective action if elected. Recently, Prime Minister Modi promised to address Madiga's concerns, providing new impetus.
The Legal Hurdle
While Madiga grievances are recognized politically, legal complexities have prevented sub-quotas from being implemented thus far. With sub-categorization already in place for SCs in some states embroiled in litigation, timely resolutions remain elusive in Telangana as well.
Previous Efforts For Subclassification
The Madiga community first demanded Scheduled Caste subclassification in 1994. In 2005, the central government began looking into legal options for creating such subcategories.The then-Attorney General stated that the Constitution could be amended to allow SC subclassification, but only if there was irrefutable evidence of its necessity. He suggested developing mechanisms for gathering empirical data to support it. However, the National Commissions for Scheduled Castes and Tribes opposed amending the Constitution in 2005, claiming that simply setting quotas within quotas was insufficient. They deemed it more urgent to ensure that existing benefits reached marginalized groups.
Nonetheless, these Commissions acknowledged in 2005 that Articles 341 and 342 do not expressly prohibit Parliament from subclassifying Scheduled Castes and Tribes in notification lists. In fact, they noted that Article 16(4) already allows states to make special provisions for any underrepresented backward class. So, while legal opinions and previous recommendations acknowledged the possibility of establishing SC sub-categories, they prioritized addressing on-the-ground benefit delivery failures over quotas. Robust empirical evidence was also used to support claims of subgroup disadvantage.
Focus On More Than Just Sub-Quotas
Given the pending Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of SC sub-categorization, the Center has formed a high-level committee to explore alternative approaches to addressing Madiga deprivation. Instead of focusing on sub-quotas, the committee will look into improving the delivery of existing schemes.
High-Level Committee
The Cabinet Secretary chairs the high-level ministerial committee, which seeks to find more equitable ways to distribute the benefits of schemes and initiatives aimed at marginalized Scheduled Caste (SC) communities. Over 1,200 SC communities exist, but certain dominant groups have monopolized the benefits, leaving the most disadvantaged communities behind. This committee was formed following Prime Minister Modi's December 2023 meeting, during which he promised to address demands to subclassify SCs made by Telangana's Madiga community ahead of the state elections. While Madiga's concerns prompted the committee's formation, sources say it has a broader mandate to address similar exclusion in SC communities nationwide.
Strictly prohibited from considering SC quota sub-categories, the panel of top officials from various ministries will look into alternative solutions, such as better targeting of existing schemes, to reach out to marginalized groups. It has been instructed to submit preliminary findings.
The committee faces challenges in identifying eligible SCs, determining their specific needs, and improving last-mile scheme delivery. Although not within its defined scope, the panel could formally advise the government on the viability of SC sub-classification, if necessary. The main challenge is a lack of empirical data quantifying Madigas' specific socioeconomic backwardness in comparison to Malas, which can be used to justify sub-category demands. Robust evidence of disproportionate access to reservations will help the case.
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