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OBC Quota : UPA rift over implementation widens |
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The rift in the United Progressive Alliance on whether the quota for other backward classes (OBCs) in institutions of higher learning should be implemented in one go or in phases has widened. Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh faced near isolation in the Group of Ministers’ meeting held on Wednesday, August 2, to consider the matter. While most of the Ministers wanted the OBC reservation to be implemented in a phased manner, Arjun Singh made a determined bid to delink the proposed reservation from a hike in general category seats. The HRD Minister argued that the OBC reservation in central educational institutions need not await an infrastructure upgrade as envisaged by the UPA pledge to hike the number of general seats.
But over-ruling him, the Group of Ministers decided to advise Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that Government implement 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in a phased manner. Initially the exercise should be limited to central educational institutions.
Faced with divisions within the Congress and the UPA over the proposed Bill for reservation for OBCs in higher educational institutions, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have started consulting alliance partners individually to find their views on the issue. But the Manmohan Singh Government got a warning of the widening rift with the latest missive from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi asking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to “respect and respond to the people’s mandate by immediately extending reservation to OBCs at all levels and in all institutions under the Government of India without any dilution.”
Given that Karunanidhi almost pulled out of the UPA on the disinvestment issue and forced the PM to put privatization on hold, his letter to the PM, dated August 4, is bound to weigh heavily on the government. He told the Prime Minister that “recently, TN assembly has unanimously passed a resolution for immediately implementing 27% reservation for OBCs in all educational institutions of government of India by bringing an ordinance in this regard”.
“The Union government should not allow the unjust demand of the anti-reservationists, who form 5-10% of the population of India. They suggest phased implementation of reservation for OBCs, application of creamy layer concept and increase in the seats for general category. I am of the firm opinion that if these demands are accepted, it will amount to preferentially empowering the empowered, at the cost of oppressing the oppressed. These demands are entirely unconstitutional and unethical,” he writes.
The letter begins with a near-threat: “At the outset, I strongly insist that the UPA government should immediately implement 27% reservation for OBCs in higher educational institutions run by the government of India. I hasten to add that this reservation for OBCs should not be diluted in any manner.”
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