From: gnreddy@cbnewsf.att.com (G.Narotham Reddy)
Subject: India - S.Court imposes 50 per cent ceiling on job reservations
Organization: University of Denver, Dept. of Math & Comp. Sci.
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 92 21:13:05 GMT


Source   : The CGI
Date     : November 19, 1992
Country  : India

Headlines:

* Government to discuss court verdict with all political parties
* BJP says 'Open Mind' on 'Single-Point' reference on Temple issue

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* Government to discuss court verdict with all political parties

New Delhi - Nov 19: The Indian government today decided to discuss
with all political parties the implication of the Supreme Court
verdict declaring as "constitutionally invalid" reservations of 10 per
cent jobs for economically back sections not covered by existing
reservation schemes.
	The reservation of 10 per cent jobs as well as other
categories of reservations emanated from the Congress election
manifesto and was based on national consensus evolved through
consultations with different political parties, said an handout
issued after a meeting of the Cabinet committee on political
affairs(CCPA).
	The CCPA, which discussed the implications of the Supreme Court
verdict, welcomed the judgement upholding the principle that 27 per
cent of vacancies in civil posts and services could be reserved for
backward classes.
	Asked if the government proposes to amend the constitution
to restore 10 percent reservation, an official said "it may be your
inference."
	The trouble started following the majority by judgement by the
Supreme Court which upheld job reservations for backward classes in
federal government and declared valid the previous V.P Singh
government order on 27 per cent job quotas but struck down the
economic criteria inducted by the present Narasimha Rao Government.
	Delivering judgement on a batch of writ petitions challenging
the V.P Singh and Narasimha Rao Government orders on reservations on the
basis of the Mandal commissions recommendations, a nine-judge
constitution bench, put a 50 per cent overall ceiling for job
reservations in government and barred reservation in promotions.
	The court also widened the scope of reservation by including
the backwards among the religious minorities for the purpose of
benefits. It also directed the center, states and union territories to
appoint a permanent commission within four months for the purpose of
entertaining complaints over the inclusion and exclusion of castes in
the lists of backward classes.

* BJP says 'Open Mind' on 'Single-Point' reference on Temple issue

New Delhi - A 'Single Point' reference to the Supreme Court on Ayodhya
issue seems likely with the government formally sounding the pro-Hindu
BJP party on the proposal and the party saying it had an "open mind"
on the issue.
	The proposal was made to BJP leader L.K Advani during his 
50 minute meeting with Home Minister S.B Chavan.
	After the talks, Advani said his party had an "Open Mind" on
the issue and the Home Minister stated he was hopeful of a positive
response to the proposal.
	Chavan said the government was interested in avoiding
confrontation and the meeting with Mr.Advani was to explore the
possibility of finding out "How we can make a reference to the Supreme
Court."
	He said if the proposal found favourable, it would require U.P
Government's consent before reference is made to the Supreme Court.
	Advani made it clear that his party wanted the 'Kar Seva' on
December Six to be delinked form a Single Point reference to the Apex
court.
	Prime Minister Rao had earlier held discussions with leaders
of all national political parties, including CPI, CPI(M), Janata Dal,
SJP and Babri Masjid Action Committee.

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