The Hindu : National : "Removing quota will affect social fabric"

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Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005

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National

"Removing quota will affect social fabric"

Special Correspondent

TDP seeks all-party meet to discuss fallout of Supreme Court order on reservation

NEW DELHI: The Telugu Desam Party on Monday urged the Centre to convene an all-party meet and introduce a Constitutional amendment Bill to provide social justice to the weaker sections of society in the wake of the recent Supreme Court order abolishing state quota and reservation in private unaided professional educational institutes.

"In the light of far-reaching consequences and likely social injustice to the weaker sections of the society as a result of this judgment, it becomes necessary to convene an all-party meeting to discuss various related issues. It is also important that consensus is reached between all the political parties on the further course of action and the lines on which a constitutional arrangement would be required,'' the party said in a memorandum to President Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Leading a party delegation, the TDP chief, N. Chandrababu Naidu, said the apex court's decision would affect the social fabric, the principle of social justice and defeat state policy to usher in a social order based on equality of opportunities. The judgment would nullify the measures adopted by the Union and State Governments over the past 58 years to ensure social and economic justice to the people.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Naidu said the Prime Minister had responded positively to the memorandum. The Centre assured the delegation it would take appropriate action in regard to the TDP's demand for another Constitutional amendment Bill to allow Andhra Pradesh categorise Scheduled Castes into four groups, A, B, C and D. Asked about the TDP's relations with the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr. Naidu said the TDP was not part of the National Democratic Alliance and was coordinating activities on the floor of Parliament based on issues.

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