Effort to salvage best-5 and start admission by July 10

Speaking to reporters after meeting his Cabinet,Chavan said over 16 lakh SSC students had appeared for their exams keeping the best-five rule in mind,and the decision had been taken in February after discussions with parent-teacher associations and after inviting suggestions and objections from people.

“The government will keep the interests of these students in mind and will appeal in the Supreme Court,” said Chavan,adding the decision had been taken to ensure “equality” in admissions.

He said the government would move the Supreme Court when it opens on July 5 and he expected the issue to be resolved by around July 10,after which admission would get under way.

Education Minister Balasaheb Thorat said the SSC Board had taken the decision in its authority and added it had been done in a background of increasing academic pressure on students.

Since the policy was struck down,Thorat has been under fire from the Opposition which has demanded a full-fledged Minister for Education,which is an additional charge with Thorat,the Agriculture Minister. Chavan today lauded Thorat’s handling of the two portfolios,adding there are a number of ministers who hold multiple charges.

A Congress minister said that in the Cabinet meeting education department officials said they would need a fortnight to issue new marksheets for Standard X. The marksheets already issued are based on the best-five formula.