TN yet to take call on EWS quota, govt tells HC

TN yet to take call on EWS quota, govt tells HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:  31.07.2020

Tamil Nadu is yet to take any policy decision on introducing economically weaker section (EWS) quota for forward communities in the state, the government informed the Madras high court on Thursday.

Justifying that EWS certificates bearing the rider that it could be used only for accessing admission or employment in central government institutions, Tamil Nadu advocate-general Vijay Narayan said the conditions were being included only as per the memorandum issued by the Centre in this regard.

As for the query on whether the income and property certificates being issued to EWS applicants would be accepted in other states, Narayan said it is for the state concerned to decide.

The submission was made in view of a direction passed by a division bench of Justice M M Sundresh and Justice R Hemalatha as to why such a condition had been imposed while issuing the certificate.

The issue pertains to a batch of pleas moved by various Brahmin and other forward caste associations, challenging the state government’s circular instructing tahsildars to stop issuing the certificates.

On July 13, the government submitted that the state has consented to issue the certificates and appropriate instructions have been given to the tahsildars.

Since the consent was accorded with a condition that such certificates can be used to avail 10% reservation only in central government services and educational institutions, the petitioners opposed.