15% EWS quota only at entry level: UT

The UT Administration on Tuesday maintained that 15 per cent reservation for students belonging to the economically weaker sections (EWS) can be allowed only at the school entry level. The statement was made by the senior standing counsel for the UT,Advocate Sanjay Kaushal,during the resumed hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Hemant Goswami. The petitioner has sought directions to the Administration to tell schools to reserve 15 per cent seats for disadvantaged children in all classes and not just at the entry level. Kaushal averred that if allowed in each section,students belonging to the EWS category would face several problems. He also read out the affidavit filed on the last date of hearing.

Meanwhile,the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notices to the Chandigarh Administration on an application filed by Goswami. The petitioner has demanded a stay on filling of vacant seats in all sections of a school so that children belonging to the EWS category can be granted admission in all the sections.

The High Court has issued notices to the UT asking it to explain why the filling of seats should not be stayed. The High Court,on the request of the petitioner,has also impleaded the Chandigarh commissioner of income tax and the UT registrar-cum-tehsildar (trusts) as respondents to the petition.

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Arguing on behalf of the petitioner,Advocate APS Shergill submitted that since the educational institutions have also registered their societies/ trusts with the Registrar of Societies by making a declaration about the non-profit and philanthropic nature of their societies,the two are necessary to be impleaded as parties. Shergill also vehemently argued that the Administration cannot escape from implementing the necessary provisions laid down by the Union government.

He said that the UT is under Constitutional obligation to reserve 15 per cent seats in all classes in the schools.