Both quota Bills will enter House, then go to committees

NEW DELHI, CHENNAI, August 10 : The two quota bills prepared by the HRD ministry—one for state-funded and the other for unaided institutions—will go to Parliamentary standing committees after their introduction in the current session.

“The UPA commitment is to have reservation from the next academic session. The Bills can be passed in the next session of Parliament to achieve this,” a senior Cabinet minister said.

Meanwhile, MPs of Tamil Nadu’s ruling Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and urged him not to dilute the proposed OBC quota in higher-education institutions. Congress members from the state were also part of the delegation.

Sources in the DMK-PMK combine said that the Prime Minister told them that the Government was committed to implementing the quotas but “we are in a coalition, we cannot force anybody.” He also reportedly pointed out the difficulties in increasing the number of seats and upgrading facilities in institutions like the IITs right away without compromising standards of excellence.

With the HRD ministry’s draft quota bill allowing for staggering of the quotas, the meeting with the PM was more about political posturing and is unlikely to lead to a situation similar to the one on Neyveli disinvestment, according to a UPA leader.

A memorandum submitted to the PM by TN MPs said, “This quota was likely to result in the overall development of OBCs and bring them at par with other communities,” and urged the PM to implement it from the next academic session.

Meanwhile, RJD chief and Rail Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav said “all aspects of quota are under consultation within the UPA,” and the alliance will take a “united” view soon.

Refusing to join issue with PMK chief Ramadoss who accused Lalu of “wavering” on the issue, Lalu said he was “not in a race to be champion of any cause.”

“My party and the UPA are committed to reservation for OBCs. Consultations are on overcoming the practical difficulties,” Lalu said.

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