The Election Commission has asked the Centre to defer consideration on the controversial draft Bill by the Union Cabinet on reservation in central educational institutes till the completion of the assembly polls.
"The Commission has conveyed its opinion to the HRD Ministry that it will be desirable to defer consideration of the Bill by the Cabinet till the election process in five states are over," Deputy Election Commissioner R Bhattacharya told reporters when asked about the Cabinet note sent by the ministry seeking its nod.
The commission had earlier taken exception to the reported announcement of HRD minister Arjun Singh on the reservation for backward classes in the central universities and IIMs.
On the clarifications sent by Singh, Bhattacharya said that since the reply was in part, the Commission has extended the time till April 24 for a complete reply.
The Minister had earlier sought the video footage sent by the EC and gave his clarifications.
Singh had earlier denied the EC's charge that he has prima facie violated the model code of conduct for elections by announcing plans for quota in the Central universities, IIMs and IITs.
{{/usCountry}}Singh had earlier denied the EC's charge that he has prima facie violated the model code of conduct for elections by announcing plans for quota in the Central universities, IIMs and IITs.
{{/usCountry}}The draft Bill -- SCs, STs and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes of Citizens (reservation of seats in educational institutions) Bill, 2006 -- seeks to give reservation of seats in educational institutions established by central government.