E-Paper
IIM, IIT quota draws mixed reaction
The National Knowledge Commission has termed the move as a distressing development and has sought PM's intervention.
The government's plan to introduce 27 per cent reservation in central educational institutions and IIMs and IITs has evoked mixed reaction from academics and political parties with strong views for and against.
Pratap Bhanu Mehta, member-convenor of National Knowledge Commission, has termed the move for reservation as a "distressing development" and has sought the Prime Minister's intervention in this matter.
"These is no point having the Commission if we don't take a stand on this issue," Mehta said.
Another member of the Commission Jayati Ghosh, who is a professor at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, JNU, said that the HRD Minister's decision on quotas was "badly timed and not a good decision".
Taking a slightly different stand, Vice Chairman of the Commission said that while not much has been done to provide equal opportunities since independence, reservations could be provided only for a limited period, but not indefinitely.
He said "the intention of the government is the question. If the intention is to perpetuate reservations, which means not giving equal opportunity to everyone forever, I am against the entire set of policies."
NS Ramaswamy, former professor and a founder director of IIM-Bangalore, favours the move by the HRD Ministry to provide for quota in central universities, IIMs and IITs, saying that it is a "desirable thing".
