04-08-2006, 09:16 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>EC seeks explanation on OBC reservations</b>
- NDTV Correspondent
Saturday, April 8, 2006 (New Delhi):
The Election Commission has sought an explanation from Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh for his proposal for reservations for OBCs in central universities.
The EC says Arjun Singh's announcement prima facie is a violation of model code of conduct.
EC has written letter to the Cabinet Secretary directing it to get the HRD Ministry's explanation and forward it to the Commission by Monday evening.
The HRD minister has proposed 27.5 per cent increase in reservation for OBCs in all centrally funded educational institutions.
This proposal will come into effect after the assembly elections. The proposal has drawn huge protests from students all over the country.
Questions raised
<b>At a function in the Capital, President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam said there should be so many seats that reservations in educational institutions become meaningless.</b>
Corporate India also is against the proposal. Speaking to the media at the convocation ceremony of the Indian School of Business, Rahul Bajaj and Ratan Tata opposed the reservation.
<b>"I would not want to comment on it, but if we want to bring in reservation, why do we not have reservation in the army,"</b> said Ratan Tata.
<b>"My concern is not scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs. I am as supportive as the people who talk. People who are talking doing this, I am sorry to say, are doing it for their chairs,"</b> said Rahul Bajaj.
Meanwhile, the government says that no decision has been taken by the government and the Cabinet is yet to clear policy regarding reservation.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
- NDTV Correspondent
Saturday, April 8, 2006 (New Delhi):
The Election Commission has sought an explanation from Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh for his proposal for reservations for OBCs in central universities.
The EC says Arjun Singh's announcement prima facie is a violation of model code of conduct.
EC has written letter to the Cabinet Secretary directing it to get the HRD Ministry's explanation and forward it to the Commission by Monday evening.
The HRD minister has proposed 27.5 per cent increase in reservation for OBCs in all centrally funded educational institutions.
This proposal will come into effect after the assembly elections. The proposal has drawn huge protests from students all over the country.
Questions raised
<b>At a function in the Capital, President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam said there should be so many seats that reservations in educational institutions become meaningless.</b>
Corporate India also is against the proposal. Speaking to the media at the convocation ceremony of the Indian School of Business, Rahul Bajaj and Ratan Tata opposed the reservation.
<b>"I would not want to comment on it, but if we want to bring in reservation, why do we not have reservation in the army,"</b> said Ratan Tata.
<b>"My concern is not scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs. I am as supportive as the people who talk. People who are talking doing this, I am sorry to say, are doing it for their chairs,"</b> said Rahul Bajaj.
Meanwhile, the government says that no decision has been taken by the government and the Cabinet is yet to clear policy regarding reservation.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->