Arjun may quote quota Bill in reply to notice

In reply to the Election Commission's second notice for his statements on Other Backward Class (OBC) quotas in educational institutions while elections in four states were under way, Union Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh is likely to quote the statement of objects and reasons attached to the 104th Constitution Amendment Bill, tabled in Parliament way back in December 19, 2005. The amendment was aimed at hiking quotas for OBCs.

The statement of objects and reasons tabled in Parliament says the Bill aims to provide greater access to higher education, including professional education, to students from socially and educationally backward classes and for SC/STs.

Another stated aim of the Bill is increasing seats in aided and state-run colleges and exempting minority institutions from reserving seats for SC/STs and OBCs.

These are also the contents of the Draft Bill proposed by the HRD ministry which has run into objections from the Election Commission. The minister is likely to point out this to the commission, which has asked him to reply before April 18, sources say.

In his earlier reply to the EC, he had pointed out that he spoke in the Lok Sabha about the government's intention to fulfil the recommendations of the Mandal Commission regarding OBC quotas in higher education.

He had said, "Every single advantage that has accrued to the country after the Mandal Commission shall accrue to the country after this Bill is passed in terms of admission and in terms of other advantages which the backward classes should get. Yes, there will be certain procedures and certain other steps would have to be taken. Those steps would be taken. You rest assured that we will not leave these things halfway.''

Meanwhile, throwing its weight behind the move to extend reservation to OBCs in educational institutions, the CPI(M) has termed the opposition to it as "motivated and biased."

An editorial in the latest issue of the party's mouthpiece, People's Democracy, says that after the passing of the 93rd Constitutional Amendment, it is the duty of the government to proceed with the required consequential steps.

The amendment states that all educational institutions, private and government, will implement the reservation policy as enacted by Parliament, except those defined as minority institutions.

In 1900, reservation in jobs was opposed in the form of a suggestion that it should follow quotas in education, the article says.

"That the same sections today oppose reservations in education speaks volumes of their inherent upper-caste bias," the article says, adding that during discussions in Parliament, there was a "rare unanimity" among political parties that the Constitution should be amended to ensure reservation in private educational institutions.