(a) whether it is a fact that the benefit of SC reservation reaches a few and do not reach the people who actually deserve it the most;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard;
(c) the action taken by the Government to ensure that only the deserved persons get the benefits of reservation; and
(d) the outcome of the action taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)
(a) to (d): The Supreme Court of India in the case of E.V. Chinnaiah Vs. State of Andhra Pradesh [2004(9) SCALE] has held that Scheduled Castes under Article 341 of the Constitution is a homogeneous group for the purpose of the Constitution. The benefits of reservation are uniformly available to all members of Scheduled Castes. Further except for reservation in services, educational institutions and legislative bodies, Government has imposed means test under various schemes and programmes to ensure that benefits flow to deserving members of Scheduled Castes.
*****