YSR keeps his key poll promise: Muslim quota

‘‘As far as exempting the creamy layer among Muslims is concerned, the Central government’s guidelines will be followed,” State Information Minister Mohammad Ali Shabbir told a post-cabinet media briefing. Muslims constitute six per cent of the state’s population.

The quota move—announced in last July—had hit a legal hurdle when the High Court struck down the order on technical grounds and directed it to refer the matter to Backward Classes commission.

The government reconstituted the four-member commission which submitted its report on June 14.

When pointed out that reservations have now crossed the 50-per cent ceiling suggested by the Supreme court, the minister said: ‘‘While suggesting the ceiling, the apex court had said it can go beyond 50 per cent in case of justifiable reasons.’’

The minister said the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, backward classes and Muslims together constituted about 77 per cent of the state’s population.

The children of parents whose gross annual income is Rs 2.50 lakh and above and children of class I and II officers of the Central government and judges of Supreme court, High Court and UPSC members would be considered as ‘creamy layer’. The reservations will be implemented from this academic year.