Religion, Caste And Tribe Based Reservation - 3

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But we need hard data for this. Some of the NFHS/NSSO data was available on the web I think. I will have more time in a couple of weeks.

Meanwhile this Karan Thapar dude (who is he ?) is really making another Chamcha #1 AS really uncomfortable..

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/devils-advocat...gh/11063-4.html

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Karan Thapar</b>: <i>In which case, lets ask a few basic questions. We are talking about the reservations for the OBCs in particular. Do you know what percentage of the Indian population is OBC? Mandal puts it at 52 per cent, the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) at 32 per cent, the National Family and Health Survey at 29.8 per cent, which is the correct figure?</i>

<b>Arjun Singh</b>: I think that should be decided by people who are more knowledgeable. But the point is that the OBCs form a fairly sizeable percentage of our population. <i>This is an ok answer. AS is still AS.</i>

<b>Karan Thapar</b>: <i>No doubt, but the reason why it is important to know 'what percentage' they form is that if you are going to have reservations for them, then you must know what percentage of the population they are, otherwise you don't know whether they are already adequately catered to in higher educational institutions or not.</i> <i>Was he giggling when he asked this ?</i>

<b>Arjun Singh</b>: That is obvious - they are not. <i>There is a slight discomfort here.</i>

<b>Karan Thapar</b>: <i>Why is it obvious?</i>

<b>Arjun Singh</b>: Obvious because it is something which we all see. <i> OK he walks right in. </i>

<b>Karan Thapar</b>: <i>Except for the fact that the NSSO, which is a government appointed body, has actually in its research in 1999 - which is the most latest research shown - that 23.5 per cent of all university seats are already with the OBCs. And that is just 8.5 per cent less than what the NSSO believes is the OBC share of the population. So, for a difference of 8 per cent, would reservations be the right way of making up the difference?</i> <i> OK he walks right in. </i>

<b>Arjun Singh:</b> I wouldn't like to go behind all this because, as I said, Parliament has taken a view and it has taken a decision, I am a servant of Parliament and I will only implement.

<b>Karan Thapar:</b> <i>Absolutely, Parliament has taken a view, I grant it. But what people question is the simple fact - Is there a need for reservations? If you don't know what percentage of the country is OBC and if, furthermore, the NSSO is correct in pointing out that already 23.5 per cent of the college seats are with the OBC, then you don't have a case in terms of need.</i> <i> I am sure he was giggling here - he couldnt have said it with a straight face. </i>

<b>Arjun Singh:</b> College seats, I don't know. <i> Can you spell A-S-S ? </i>

<b>Karan Thapar:</b> <i>According to the NSSO - which is a government appointed body - 23.5 per cent of the college seats are already with the OBCs.</i>

<b>Arjun Singh:</b> What do you mean by college seats? <i>  Boss I am HR minister onlee - I am responsible for developing human resources of 1 billion people - such trivial matters as 'college seats' dont bother me. </i>

<b>Karan Thapar:</b> <i>University seats, seats of higher education.</i> <i> He aint giggling here - he must be on the floor. </i>

<b>Arjun Singh:</b> Well, I don't know I have not come across that so far.

<b>Karan Thapar:</b> <i>So, when critics say to you that you don't have a case for reservation in terms of need, what do you say to them?</i>

<b>Arjun Singh</b>: I have said what I had to say and the point is that that is not an issue for us to now debate. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Read on at the link - its too good.