'Raising income tax slab is one-way out'

New Delhi: Under pressure from UPA allies to ease "stringent" parameters for eligibility of other backward castes under creamy layer concept for 27 per cent reservation, HRD Minister Arjun Singh on Saturday said increasing the current income slab of Rs 2.5 lakh per annum is one way out.

Full coverage: The reservation debate | Special: The reservation debate

"As far as creamy layer is concerned, we will discuss the matter at the apt forum and try to find a way out. We are not going to shove it under the carpet. We are going to do whatever we can," Singh told CNN-IBN.

The Minister also said the government will discuss the issue with its allies and try to bring a consensus.

"Increasing the slab of Rs 2.5 lakh per annum is one way out. The concerns of the allies will be taken into account -- we will try to have a consensus on how to sort this out," he said.

For more news, analysis click here>> | For more Science and Medicine news click here >>

The Supreme Court had on Thursday upheld the 27 per cent quota for OBCs but clarified that the creamy layer or the elite would be kept out. The court ruled that the definition of creamy layer will be determined in accordance to the government notification issued in 1993 pursuant to the Mandal Commission judgement.

Singh also sought to allay the fears of students who don't get the benefits of the quota by saying "they will not be excluded and their concerns will be taken into account."

"I have been wanting the reservation ever since I was the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. We had won 40 seats then. This reservation should benefit us politically," he said.

For more International news click here >> | For more Political news click here >> | For more Offbeat news click here >>