Oversight panel asks ministry to postpone Bill

Announcing it would firm up its interim report by July 10, the Oversight Committee, set up to prepare a roadmap for implementing OBC quota in educational institutions, today asked HRD Ministry to postpone the finalisation of the draft Bill on 27 per cent reservation for the time being.

"We have discussed with HRD Minister Arjun Singh and told him we have not come to a conclusion. If necessary, you may also postpone it," Moily told reporters after the committee meeting today.

He said the committee might also give its inputs after submitting its interim report to enable the government to go ahead with the proposed legislation. Moily said the committee was yet to give its opinion to the HRD ministry.

He said the committee would finalize its interim report by July 10 and then submit it to the government.

"Various options are being deliberated with regard to implementation of reservation in institutions of higher learning," he said.

He said though with the present infrastructure and mindset, it might not be possible to implement the reservation, the committee had told institutions of higher learning to change their mindset.

The committee was examining all options for its implementation next year, he said. While the overall interest of students belonging to all sections including SC, ST, OBC and general category would be taken into consideration, the brand value of the institutions of higher learning would not only be maintained but enhanced, he said.