Minority institutions excluded from quota bill for unaided institutions: Centre

The Union Government has rejected demands from different sections of the society for inclusion of minority institutions in the proposed quota bill for unaided institutions.

"Minority institution has been excluded and it is a constitutional provision. We cannot think over it again," Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh said after the conclusion of the two–day consultations with the states on the controversial bill.

BJP–ruled states and Left–ruled Kerala had urged for the inclusion of minority institutions in the proposed legislation for reservation in unaided institutions.

The group of ministers on reservation headed by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee had earlier called state chief ministers and education ministers for a two–day meeting on last Thursday in the capital to hear their views on the introduction of the quota in private unaided institutions. While speaking on this issue, Mukherjee said, "Cabinet has already taken a view on the matter of the creamy layer and there can be another view only after the cabinet meets again."

There seemed to be some respite for the government on the reservation issue with several states expressing their readiness in implementing the quota in unaided institutions, provided they are given a free hand in formulating their own rules and regulating the fee structure.

Some states like Uttar Pradesh felt that the creamy layer should be included in the reservations provided.

Although, the reasons seem to be more political with elections coming up in the state, the issue remains a bone of contention for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition government at the Centre.

According to sources close to the development, there was reservation from sections on the exclusion of minority institutions from the quota bill.

Left–ruled Kerala, on its part, had said earlier that it wanted the reservation to apply to all institutes including those that are being run by minority institutions. The BJP had also demanded that the quota be extended to minority institutions.

Meanwhile, Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav has severely criticized the Supreme Court judgment on excluding creamy layer among SC/ST as unjust and unfair to the socially backward sections of society and has asked the government to place all such laws under the ninth schedule to put it out of the purview of the courts.

According to Yadav, all acts and issues relating to quota and empowerment of the underprivileged should be put in the ninth schedule of the Constitution to avoid judicial interference.

The JD(U) president has demanded that the government should immediately convene a session of the Parliament to discuss the situation arising out of the apex court judgment and take remedial legal and constitutional steps.

The Supreme Court judgment has given additional tools in the hands of the powerful sections of the society to deprive the rights of weaker sections, he warned.