The Hindu Business Line : `Quota Bill: It's being done in a hurry'

Academicians and students have said that that the Government is in a hurry to implement the 27 per cent OBC quota in Central educational institutions.

Commenting on the HRD Minister, Mr Arjun Singh's move today introducing the Bill in the Lok Sabha (and later referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee), Mr Srihari Bharatti, President of the Students' Council, IIM, Bangalore termed it as "hasty," adding that the Government was in a tearing hurry to implement the quota for OBCs.

"All we are asking for are reasons for the change in the percentage now. If reservations have not borne fruit for 60 years, will they now?" Students of the institute said that reservation is an affirmative step if implemented at the right stage of a child's education: primary and secondary school levels.

"The Government is trying to take the easier way out," they said.

Prof S. Sadagopan, Director of IIITB, said that many things are being done in haste. "The issue is important but it would help if things are done in a serene mood."

However, Dr Prakash G. Apte, Director of IIM, Bangalore, said, "if Parliament passes the Bill the institute has to accept it, but we will enforce it in stages."

The IIMs have asked for 3-5 years to implement the quota plan, he added.

But will the Government lend financial support to these institutes to upgrade campus infrastructure, as that could be the first task on hand before implementing the quota?

"They have indicated that they would help us. We have sent the Government a few demands and we are awaiting a response to that," he told Business Line.

Prof R.K. Vijayasarathy, Director of Bangalore-based IFIM business school, said that the quota would be detrimental in practising meritocracy in education.

"If India has to be a frontrunner in the global arena, then there is no substitute for merit."

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