Arjun throws Parliament in Govt face

One called for 52% reservations for OBCs, another wanted the Rajputs on board while still another pleaded for a quota for upper-caste people below the poverty line (BPL).

While responding to a supplementary put forth by Ram Kripal Yadav of (RJD) to a question by Reoti Raman Singh (SP) and Mahadeorao Shiwankar (BJP), Arjun Singh said that the commitment to OBC reservation “is not of Government alone—this commitment has been expressed by our Parliament. What is the justification of Parliament’s existence if we are not able to honour that commitment?”

Arjun Singh said that the commitment made to SCs, STs and OBCs by the House for reservations in private and unaided institutions “is irrevocable and this Government and Parliament are committed to that. A proposal to implement that in a manner which is in consistence with the other provisions of the law is under consideration…I, as a servant of this House, have been entrusted to see that it is implemented.”

Having taken this position, the minister said the Government would consider finding a way out to accommodate all sections. There was no specific decision by the CCPA but its approach was to “look at this issue with an open mind.”

Reoti Raman Singh wanted to know if the Government would consider raising the number of seats in all professional courses in the country so that “backwards and OBCs get their due and those who want to sit in competition also get their due.”

Shiwankar said: “The plight of OBCs has been worsening during the last 50 years. They are getting retarded economically. They are already backward from the social viewpoint. Does the Government want to give them 52 per cent reservation or not?” he asked. Madan Lal Sharma of Congress congratulated the minister “for unanimously passing the amendment” on reservations, but sought to know if the Government “plans enacting a law to enable BPL people of upper castes to get admission in professional institutes.”

Varkala Radhakrishnan (CPI-M) claimed that “even the quota that is given to BCs, SCs and STs has not been reached so far.”

Prabhunath Singh (Janata Dal-U) asked the minister if, before implementing the reservations, he “would appoint a commission to ascertain the status of those who were called forward and backward on social and, economic and educational grounds.” The House was thrown in to a pandemonium after he claimed that “the Rajputs, who were kings till yesterday are earning their livelihood through labour today.”

He asked the minister if the Government would include Rajputs in the ambit of reservations after appointing a commission. Arjun Singh demanded a separate notice when A Krishnaswamy (DMK) asked him if the Government was “aware of discrimination” towards SC, ST and OBC students at IIT Chennai by a head of department. “What about the HoD?” Krishnaswamy shouted.

Krishnaswamy wanted to know the percentage of backward caste students who have graduated from professional institutions. Singh promptly said, “I am in agreement with it.” What “it” referred to wasn’t clear.

Clause for 10% seat hike in 10th Plan: UGC

NEW DELHI: Amidst reports that the Centre might go for increase in seats in educational institutions to offset protests against OBC reservations, the UGC on Tuesday said there was a provision for 10 per cent hike in seats every year under the 10th Five Year Plan.

“Going by the funds sanctioned to colleges and universities, we have a provision for 10 per cent increase annually in all educational institutions,” UGC chairperson Sukhdev Thorat told reporters.