During the marathon debate, MPs put forth their suggestions and comments on the Bill. RJD’s Devendra Prasad Yadav objected to the word “certain” educational institutions on which the OBC quota will be applicable, and wanted the list of exempted “research” institutions done away with. He said this law will help break the monopoly of certain sections in the emergency services of hospitals like AIIMS, reminding members of the doctors’ agitation. SP’s Ravi Prakash Verma asked for modification of the list, only with the concurrence of the Parliament.

Replying to this, Arjun Singh later said, “We would consult all members in various ways.” DMK’s A Krishnaswamy lauded the government for not excluding the “creamy layer”, but demanded that the 27 per cent quota for OBCs should be implemented from first academic year itself.

Arjun Singh, later, replied, “If an institution wants to implement in the first year, there’s no one stopping” but we must understand, there are practical difficulties for implementation.” BJD’s Arjun Charan Sethi asked for bringing the reservation law under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to avoid judicial scrutiny in future.

CPI’s Prabodh Panda, supporting the Bill, said though the present generation is not responsible for the caste system, they cannot disown the past. CPM’s Sujan Chakraborty said exclusion of creamy layer is a must, and said the rich are guilty of buying seats in educational institutions, in the name of capitation fees.

Congress’s Karan Singh Yadav asked for a “penalty clause” for those institutions which are not implementing SC, ST and OBC reservations, and sought fee waiver or reduction in case of weaker sections. BJP’s Dharmendra Pradhan raised the issue of minority institutions like St Stephen’s being out of the OBC quota ambit, and asked for amendment of the Constitution to bring them under the net.

... contd.