Wednesday, August 23 2006 11:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Pro-quota medicos today attacked the government for 'diluting' the provisions of the proposal for reservation for OBCs in elite educational institutions by excluding the creamy layer from the ambit of the policy.

"A deliberate attempt is being made by vested interests to confuse the whole issue of reservations by making out a case that economic backwardness of the reserved categories should be the sole basis for reservations," Medicos Forum for Equal Opportunities said.

The rider of creamy layer has every potential of being used as a tool to exclude eligible candidates of reserved categories from availing the benefit of reservation, it said in a statement here.

"Moreover, this concept overlooks the fact that the general category candidates making into the elite institutions of education are overwhelmingly from the creamy layer rather than the poorer sections of the general category," it added.

The medicos said they will accept the creamy layer concept only if preference is given to a candidate from non- creamy layer of the reserved category over a candidate from creamy layer of the same category.

However, if such a candidate is not available the benefit of reservation shall be given to even to creamy layer candidate of reserved category, it added.

The medicos also slammed the agitation by anti-quota doctors and hoped that the Supreme Court will take the responsibility for ensuring smooth functioning of health services.