Arjun blasts Pitroda for opposing quota

A majority of the Knowledge Commission had opposed the extension of reservations in Central educational institutions as proposed by the HRD Minister. Singh, however, criticised police action on striking medicos protesting his proposal for reservations in centres of higher education. ‘‘I don’t support that (police) action,’’ he said, but asked protesting students to take into account the interest of ‘‘large sections of the deprived people’’.

The minister said the reservation proposals had again been submitted to the Union Cabinet for its consideration.

Asked whether the issue should be referred to a group of ministers in the light of the controversy it has sparked, Singh said the powers lay solely with the Cabinet on such a decision.

He also rebutted reports that PM Manmohan Singh was not informed of the proposals.

‘‘The PM was definitely aware of this. In fact, he helped this amendment law being passed after satisfying the anxiety of OBC MPs. How can I say he was not aware of it?’’ the minister said.

On May 8, in Bangalore, six out of eight members of the NKC had opposed extension of reservations in Central educational institutions. While six members, including Pitroda, wanted a status quo on reservations, vice-chairman P M Bhargava and economist Jayati Ghosh supported Singh’s recommendation.

Pitroda had admitted the divide in a statement at the release of the first recommendation report on e-governance of the NKC. While the commission was unanimous in its opinion that there was a ‘‘historic opportunity’’ to make higher education more socially inclusive, Pitroda had said, it felt the method for doing this needed more contemplation.

The members who shared this view with Pitroda are Nandan Nilekani, Andre Beteille, Ashok Ganguly, Deepak Nayyar and Prathap Bhanu Mehta.