Govt opposes income-based quota within SC/ST categories, says 'Can't apply creamy layer to them'

The Centre opposed a plea seeking an income-based sub-quota within reserved SC/ST categories, stating that the principles of "creamy layer" cannot be extended for the reservation of SC/STs. The Centre told the Supreme Court that the reservation policy is not solely based on economic status, but rather on historical and social criteria such as tribe, social backwardness and caste.