A majority of the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) members have opposed extension of reservations in central educational institutions, as proposed by Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh. While six members, including chairman of the commission Sam Pitroda, want a status quo on reservations, two members—vice-chairman Dr P M Bhargava and economist Dr Jayati Ghosh—support Singh’s recommendation. However, even Bhargava—also the vice-chairman of the commission—wants the reservations subject to certain conditions. He felt the benefits of reservations had not yet touched the OBCs but any extension of the same had to be accompanied with setting up of 400,000 government high schools and without reducing merit intakes. Pitroda admitted the divide in a statement here at the release of the first recommendation report on e-governance of the NKC on Monday. ‘‘Six of the eight members feel that until such time as we have explored new and more effective avenues of affirmative action, the status quo should be maintained and reservations should not be extended as proposed,’’ Pitroda said. While the commission was unanimous in its opinion that there is a ‘‘historic opportunity’’ to make higher education more socially inclusive, Pitroda said, it felt the method for doing this needed more contemplation. ‘‘How we go about doing this in a way that is compatible with the goals of a knowledge society is a difficult task and requires more social debate and careful thought,’’ he said. Education needs to be shaken up in many ways but ‘‘we don’t know the answers yet’’. The five members who shared this view with Pitroda are Nandan Nilekani, Dr Andre Beteille, Dr Ashok Ganguly, Dr Deepak Nayyar and Dr Prathap Bhanu Mehta. ‘‘In the long term the solution is to provide education opportunities to all, beginning from primary education. After 50 years of reservation strategy, it is time for an alternative,’’ said JNU Professor of Economics Dr Deepak Nayyar. The NKC’s views will be placed before the Prime Minister for his consideration. johnson.ta@expressindia.com
