Economics India

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Reservations for "Other Backward Classes" In IITs and Other educational institutions

This issue needs a clarification. There is already a reservation system in place in IITs, IIMs and central universities for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. The new proposal is to extend this reservations to more social groups classified or to be classified as “other backward classes” which will take the overall reserved seats in these institutions from about 27 per cent to almost 50 per cent. Some student organizations are concerned about the proposed move as it will result in denying so many eligible students (including the poor in so-called upper classes) and have charged the government of playing the "vote bank" politics. It seems that the Election Commission has called for an explanation from Union Human Resource Development Minister, Mr. Arjun Singh, for making the proposal at a time when five states in the country are going for assembly polls. The Constitution had provided for quotas for seats in educational institutions and jobs in government-funded organizations for socially backward castes and tribes initially for only 10 years but over the years, the quota system continued unabated, with more and more castes being added to the list. We will have more details as the GOI proceeds with this proposal ....if at all?

4 Comments:

  • Will have to see what voters decide in the largest Democracy in the World. If they want that the constitution be amended so be it. We will have to respect the voters' decision.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:48 AM  

  • I do not see any problem with quotas in IITs or IIMs. Real talented people shine under all circumstances, which has been the history of the mankind! Real talented people are not worried about any constraint, even if they are unfair because they shine under all circumstances. It does not matter to which caste they belong. And finally justice governs the World and not any party, any religion or any philosophy.

    The Indian opposition parties are unnecessarily worried and are trying to deceive public.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:44 PM  

  • Anon Comments above:

    Indian voters are now enlightened --and they will choose the right people.

    About reservation quotas in schools and colleges, these are fundamentally immoral.

    While governments in power can meddle in institutions they fund, they should at least allow private sector to do their work without any intervention. But some political parties want to disrupt even private organizations for political gains.

    And why government subsidies be not made available on a need basis -- irrespective of caste?

    It is grossly inequitable to provide admissions to candidates on a caste basis while denying these to others -- the approach should be to open more schools and colleges and admissions given on a merit basis.

    Let government distribute cash to backward classes instead of messing up with educational institutions!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:28 PM  

  • Reservation for OBC in IIM is biggest mistake polititians are making for their own selfish motives. Equality of opportunity is the basis of democracy which is jeoparedised by such policy.There has to be timebound programme to upbring the status of OBCs but this is not done. RPI leaders can not come together for their own people. It is all stupidity that is going on

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:49 PM  

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