New Delhi, Jun 11: In a move that may further fuel the quota controversy, the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry is "favourably" considering raising reservations for Scheduled Castes from the existing 15 per cent to 16.23 per cent following the increase in their population.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Meira Kumar said her Ministry also wanted the children of Dalit women who married out of their caste to get reservation benefits to ensure gender equality.

"We should increase the quantum of reservation for the SC in the wake of the increase in their population.

I am favourably considering it," she said in an interview to PTI here.

Kumar said this was necessary as the 2001 Census had put the Dalit share of population at 16.23 per cent, as against 15 per cent in the 1961 Census.

Besides the increase in population, Kumar said as many as 68 more castes and one religionBuddhismhave been included in the SC category, resulting in an increase in numbers.

"Therefore, it is justifiable to increase the quantum of reservation for the SC." Sources said the ministry was working in this regard.

A draft proposal for this points out that the quota, pegged at 12.5 per cent in 1953, was raised to 15 per cent in 1970 in light of the 1961 Census.

The existing quota stands close to the limit at 49.5 per cent15 per cent for SC, 7.5 per cent Scheduled Tribes and 27 percent for OBCs, and the ceiling of 50 per cent set by the Supreme Court would be breached if the proposal was accepted.

Referring to gender equality, Kumar said, "There should not be gender discrimination.

In a social system, government should also have the right to include the mother's name.

"That is also what I am considering," she said when asked if the government planned to provide SC status to children of Dalit women married outside their caste.

To a specific question whether the Social Justice Ministry is considering the setting up of a committee to ascertain the status of Dalits on the lines of the Sachar Committee on the social, educational and economic status of minorities, she said there is already a Committee on Dalit Affairs appointed by the Prime Minister.

The 15-member panel headed by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee is likely to submit its report by October on the educational, social and economic status of Dalits in the country as well as measures to be taken by the government for their all-round development.

To another question on the government's direction to NGOs aided by it to follow reservation rules for SCs, STs, OBCs and physically challenged, which may further create controversy, Kumar admitted her ministry had issued directions in this regard to all such organisations and institutions.

"Yes, I have directed all government-aided NGOs to have reservations as per the Constitutional norm for SCs, STs, OBCs and the disabled," Kumar said.

She said she was satisfied with the response from NGOs on this count but had given more time to them to employ people from these sections.

"The response is good...But I have given a little more time (two months) for them to fully accommodate the provisions," Kumar said, adding that she had written letters to all Union ministries, departments and states in this regard.

The move has made it conditional for NGOs to provide 49.5 per cent job quotas to meet the eligibility criteria for availing of government funding.

According to the draft proposals of the ministry, sources said, NGOs availing government funds as well as those desirous of getting funds, were required to furnish details of people provided employment in projects funded by the ministry and to suggest measures to implement the quotas for SCs, STs and OBCs.

In 2004-05, the Social Justice and Empowerment assisted 366 voluntary organisations working for the SCs and 190 NGOs working for OBCs.

Besides, around 200 NGOs received substantial amounts to run schemes related to SCs, STs, OBCs and physically challenged persons.

The sources said as a pre-condition to the sanction of grant-in aid to these agencies, the authorities sanctioning grants should be asked to ensure that a suitable clause is included in the terms and constitutions under which aid is being provided.

"They (authority) should also keep in view the progress made by such institutions or organisations in employing SCs, STs, OBCs and the physically challenged on the lines indicated by the govt," a source said.

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