Even as the government is examining all options under the law to resolve the situation created after the Supreme Court ordered a stay on the OBC quota law, HRD Minister Arjun Singh today asked the states to focus on minority education and a legislation for implementing OBC quotas in state universities. Singh was speaking at the State Education Ministers’ Conference convened to take stock of the education scenario.

Stressing on educational opportunities for minorities, in the wake of the Fatmi Committee Report, he urged the states to be far more “proactive” in seeking Central assistance under the schemes of madrasa modernisation and appointment of Urdu language teachers.

On the present legal wrangle on the OBC quota law, he said: “The Supreme Court in its interim order stated that it would be desirable to keep on hold the operation of this Act so far as it relates to the OBCs. The government is examining all legal options to resolve this issue at the earliest.” The recommendations of the Fatmi Committee for giving a boost to minority education was also under consideration, he said.

Referring to the amendment carried out in Article 15 of the Constitution which enabled reservation for SCs, STs and other socially and economically backward classes in admission in educational institutions, Singh recalled that he had urged the Chief Ministers to enact state-specific legislations for the purpose. Noting that only six states, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Prakash and Uttarakhand, have so far enacted such laws, he sought feedback from other states on the issue.

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