Even as his ministry is busy finalising comments on the Cabinet note on quota Bill, Health Minister Dr Ambumani Ramadoss today met Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Arjun Singh and assured the latter of his total support on the issue. He told Singh that his ministry would make a strong case for reservations in academic institutions, including AIIMS.This was Ramadoss’ first visit to Singh, after his spat with AIIMS director Dr P. Venugopal came to the fore. Ramadoss is understood to have expressed his unhappiness over the issue to the HRD Minister, whom he had lent support during the doctors’ agitation.Both had been categorical in their stand on the reservation issue, as one of the HRD insiders said, ‘‘The duo had met when the quota heat was at its peak.’’ On one occasion, even the Health Minister’s father, Dr S. Ramadoss — founder-member of PMK — accompanied his son and met Singh to extend their support on the issue, top sources said.Although their positions are clear on the issue of quota, Singh’s support to Ramadoss on the AIIMS director spat could not be independently confirmed. Ramadoss, when contacted, termed the meeting as a courtesy call.
