Mandal Commission

the Census? Ambrose Pinto IS casteism the bane of Indian society? The general impression is that there is too much of casteism in India. Whether it is a question of politics, education, urban or rural development allocation of resources for various sectors, caste comes to play a major role. That is why several social scientists and politicians have suggested that the only way of getting rid of caste in Indian society is by rejecting caste outright. Many others hold that instead of making caste the criterion, we should adapt the class or economic factor. Therefore caste should not be included in the census

Of Reservation, Merit and Distributive Justice Ghanshyam Shah The Backward Classes in Contemporary India by Andre Beteille Oxford University Press, Delhi, 1992; pp 117, Rs 110.

A Ramaiah Under Article 340 of the Indian Constitution, it is obligatory for the government to promote the welfare of the Other Backward Classes (OBC). The Mandal Commission which was set up for the purpose recommended 27 per cent job reservations in government services for the OBC However, implementation of such recommendations has been vehemently opposed by a vocal section. This paper, presenting the recommendations of the Mandal Commission, brings out some technical errors in the criteria and approach adopted in identifying the OBC and their representation in government services. Alternative ways of identifying the deserving OBC have also been suggested.

Never-Ending Expansion THERE is going to be apparently yet another permanent security structure, this time entrusted with the responsibility of co-ordinating the strategies to combat the insurgencies in the north-east. According to a report in The Times of India (October 6), "A kind of a north-east security council for co-ordinated action against insurgency in the entire region is expected to be set up soon!' Making an announcement to this effect during a press conference, Assam's chief minister Hiteswar Saikia is reported to have said that the setting up of the proposed council, which is to be headed by the chief of one of the paramilitary organisations operating in the region and will have among its members the police chiefs of all the north-eastern states, would among other things "facilitate the exchange of information among the various states in the north-east, monitor developments and plan joint strategies".

Political Posturing THE stand of the five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court hearing the petition of anti-reservationists that the government make clear by September 24 its stand on the notification of August 13, 1990 issued by the National Front government introducing job reservations in the central government for the socially and educationally backward castes on the basis of the Mandal Commission's recommendations has put the Congress party in a fix. Having played no small part in engineering the violence that greeted the notification at the time of its announcement, the Congress can scarcely come out openly in support of OBC reservation. On the other hand, open opposition would work to the advantage of the Janata Dal and the various regional parties. The Supreme Court's demand, though difficult to comprehend, has the merit of forcing the Congress to emerge from the ambiguity behind which it had sought refuge.