Govt gets cold feet on quota bill

In an unexpected move prompted by the Election Commission's intervention in the matter, the Cabinet Secretariat has returned the HRD Ministry's controversial proposal for reservations in educational institutions.

In an unexpected move prompted by the Election Commission's intervention in the matter, the Cabinet Secretariat has returned the HRD Ministry's controversial proposal for reservations in central educational institutions with the advise that it be run through the poll panel as it happens to be election time.

The Ministry's draft bill accompanied by a Cabinet note stated that the 93rd Constitutional amendment envisaging quotas for social and educational backward classes (SEBC) be extended to educational institutions under the Centre.

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On the face of it, the cabinet secretariat's move appears a ‘damage control exercise’ aimed at buying time to address popular concerns while showing respect for the EC.

But for HRD Minister Arjun Singh, the development looks a bit of a let down, more so because of the swagger with which he had responded to the EC's queries on the issue.