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PU shows anti-marginalised face,
cancels OBC quota
WSN Network
Chandigarh:
Continuing with its anti marginalised anti-minority moves, the
Panjab University has decided to do away with its 7% Other Backward
Classes (OBC) quota from the next academic session after the Union
ministry of home affairs (MHA) told the Punjab and Haryana high
court that PU is neither a central university nor centrally-funded.
The university
had set aside the OBC quota rather late in the session,
October 31,
2008, being the last date for applications, following Supreme Court
orders that it be introduced in central or centrally-funded
universities. It planned to implement 27% reservation for OBC
candidates in three phases, which would eventually have led to an
overall increase of 54% seats.
“Since the
ministry has not declared PU either a central or centrally-funded
university, we thought it fit to do away with the OBC quota from the
next session”, VC said.
The university
has already received a Rs 5-crore MHA grant for implementing the
quota and is required to give money utilization certificate to the
ministry. “We will not be returning the money (already used) and
will instead submit money utilization certificate,” Sobti added.
Ronki Ram,
president, Panjab University Teachers’
Union, said,
“The university has already implemented the quota, thereby raising
the expectations of students. I think the Union ministry should
reconsider its decision and grant funds so that we can at least
maintain the status quo on OBC quota.”
3
December 2008
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