The Hindu : Front Page : Government to consider quota for Muslims in jobs, education

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 18, 2005

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Government to consider quota for Muslims in jobs, education

Special Correspondent

It is awaiting Supreme Court verdict on implementation of 69 per cent reservation

CHENNAI: Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Monday said the State Government would consider the demand for quota for Muslims in jobs and education after taking note of the Supreme Court's verdict in the case relating to the implementation of 69 per cent reservation in the State.

Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat here, she said a case on the Tamil Nadu Reservation Act, 1994, which provided for 69 per cent reservation was pending before the apex court.

The special Act passed in the Assembly in 1994 was included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution thereafter, she recalled. Even as the 69 per cent reservation was in "jeopardy," she did not envisage any more reservation at the moment.

Replying to queries on the demands raised by some parties for the resignation of the Prime Minister and the dismissal of the Bihar Governor in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling that the Assembly dissolution in that State was unconstitutional, Ms. Jayalalithaa said, "It is for the Central Government to answer. The Supreme Court's judgment cannot be taken lightly. It is a serious matter. It is for the Centre to respond."

To another question, she said her Government was not adopting a confrontationist course against the Centre.

On steps taken with regard to the implementation of the Right to Information Act in the State, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the Government initiated steps to set up the State Information Commission and a notification was issued.

When asked about the Centre's reported move to form a women's battalion in the National Security Guard, Ms.Jayalalithaa said, "I have not received any intimation about this. In Tamil Nadu, we have been the first in India to create a women's commando unit and an all-women battalion."

Retirement age

She made it clear that the Government had no proposal to increase the retirement age to 60 years.

On the demand to announce dearness allowance instalments on par a with the Centre, Ms.Jayalalithaa said, "all the demands of the Government employees are under the Government's consideration."

To a question on the Volkswagen's reported move to set up its unit in the State, she said, "we are in contact with them."

Ms.Jayalalithaa denied the Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, T.R.Baalu's charge that the State Government was delaying the process of acquiring and handing over of land for road development projects undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India.

Everything was under the Government's consideration and it would not act in haste, she said.

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