The Congress on Monday sounded a note of caution against any hasty pronouncements on educational reforms pointing out that the subject was on the Concurrent List and states have to be consulted before taking any final decision. While Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal has adopted a pro-active approach to reforms spelling out his plans to initiate a slew of measures in his 100-day plan, the ruling party on Monday was circumspect, stating that Sibal’s proposals were still in “discussion phase”.

Asked about the party’s stance on reforms measures as spelt out by the minister, AICC spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said, “It is still in discussion phase. Inputs are coming. There is no final decision or any draft to which the party can react. He (Sibal) has also said he has just given a proposal. Whatever policy is formed will be only after taking opinions and vetting them.”

With the opposition BJP and some state governments expressing reservation against the proposal to make Class X examination optional and for a single board in the entire country, the Congress was apparently weighing its options about the proposed roadmap for the implementation of reforms. “Education is in Concurrent List. Opinion of the states also has to be considered,” said Ahmed.

Congress sources said a section of the party also had reservation against Foreign University Bill. A Congress Working Committee member pointed that the educational institutions in the country implemented reservation policy. “The government will have to see how reservations can be applied in foreign universities as well,” he said.