Dr. Asangba Tzüdir
A particular ‘cartoonscope’ under “Reflections” by Sandemo Ngullie titled ‘Scheme for Agri & ho(rti)’ shows a personnel manning the door and a farmer, and the caption reads, “Sorry uncle, can’t let you in. The seminar is only for farmers.” In a different way, it also lucidly captures the recent Union Cabinet’s decision to introduce a ‘quota’ for ‘Economically Backward Classes’ (EBCs).’
ECBs in India are categorised as ‘extremely poor’ people having an annual income less than Rs 8 lakh and who do not belong to any social category such as SC/ST/OBC. They are the actually ‘poor among upper castes’ and slotted under ‘General’ in social status. Once the ECBs start earning more than 8 lakh, they would be recognized as General category. While the Government of India does not give any reservation to ECBs, there are large percentage populations in India who live below the poverty line and belong to this category.
Now, the recent Union Cabinet’s decision to introduce a ‘quota’ for the ‘Economically Backward’ sections of communities who do not currently fall under any reservation has created an illogical situation which opens the question of what constitutes economic backwardness. Beginning with the income criteria to be eligible for this ‘quota,’ it is to be fixed at the household income of Rs 8 lakh per annum from all sources. Interestingly, currently, every Indian who earns over Rs 2.5 lakh a year should pay income tax.
Comparatively, while Rs 8 lakh is the eligibility criteria for the quota, the Union in fixing the minimum at Rs 2.5 lakh considers this amount to be high enough for taxation. But still, a person in a family earning triple this amount a year is considered ‘economically backward’ and therefore warrant a ‘quota’ in education and jobs. Further, two members of a family each earning a little less than Rs 4 lakh would each pay income tax while also being eligible for the ‘quota.’ Welcome to the new economic backward where such people under this category are paradoxically both rich and poor - they are rich enough to be taxed but poor enough to be in need of support. This also means that given the income criteria, it would account for 95% of Indians eligible for the quota.
Intriguingly, the income exclusion criteria for eligibility of the ‘quota’ is to be exactly the same as for the other backward classes (OBCs) because this section of people were given a ‘quota’ not on economic grounds but being socially and educationally deprived. This came in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling that the ‘creamy layer’ among the OBCs should not be given the ‘quota.’ In one way, the Rs 8 lakh income slab also defines what is considered as ‘creamy layer’ among the OBCs, which gives rise to a confusing situation where ‘creamy layered’ and the ‘poor’ are brought together into the equation.
Given the scenario, it is quite difficult to understand how such a ‘comical episode’ escaped scrutiny of at least the experts? Yet, besides the ‘reschuffling’ the question remains whether this new ‘quota’ system will really benefit if it is implemented at all.
While it has definitely raised the eyebrows of the OBCs, conversely, there is also the option of the income slab of Rs 8 lakh being reduced at par with the taxable amount of Rs 2.5 lakh or even lower which makes the case for economic backwardness more logical besides actually benefitting the real poor through this ‘quota’ system. This also means taking out the ‘better-offs’ out of the equation, but which is a big ‘risk’ considering the current political scenario at the Centre.
Contextually, reservation in the State is also such that it is mostly enjoyed somehow ‘silently’ by the ‘creamy layered’ within the so called ‘backward tribes.’ The grounds for social and educational, and also economic backwardness require a proper re-evaluation and assessment so that reservation benefits the right people.
(Dr. Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial to
The Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
