Delhi University will earmark over 5,000 seats for OBC students for under-graduate courses in the coming academic session but has warned that the implementation of quota may go haywire in 2009 if more funds are not allocated. In a bid to implement 27 per cent OBC quota in a phased manner, the University has increased the total number of seats by 18 per cent in 2008 so that it can earmark nine per cent seats for the OBC aspirants. With the 18 per cent increase, the total number of seats available with Delhi University Colleges in the next academic session has risen to around 42,000 from the previous 35,000. "For every 100 seats, we have increased 18 seats. Out of the 118 seats, 78 will go to general, 18 to Scheduled Castes, 13 to OBCs and nine to Scheduled Tribes," University Vice Chancellor Deepak Pental told reporters. "One can take 18 per cent increase once. But 2009 will be more critical as meeting expenses will be problematic if enough funds are not provided," he said announcing the schedule for admission process for degree courses. With the increase in the number of seats, he said, more faculty was needed and the Human Resources and Development Ministry was aware of the ‘general problems’ faced by the university. Noting that the government and UGC have committed funds, he said, "There are procedures laid down. If some clerical staff is sitting on it, we cannot do much."
