The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Assembly seeks ordinance to implement quota

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 01, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Assembly seeks ordinance to implement quota

Special Correspondent

To "ensure advancement of OBCs and bring them on a par with others in society"

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolution requesting the Centre to "go ahead with the 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes in all educational institutions controlled and financed by the Government of India."

It also suggested promulgation of an ordinance to implement the reservation. This was to "ensure their advancement and bring them on a par with others in society."

Mandal panel

Leader of the House K.Anbazhagan said though the Mandal Commission recommended reservation for OBCs in educational institutions also, this had not been extended to these institutions. In an amendment inserted at the introduction stage itself, Mr. Anbazhagan said some vested interests were behind the students continuing their agitation even after the Prime Minister requested them many times and after the advice of the Supreme Court. The resolution requested the students to cooperate with the Government.

Speaking on the resolution, Mr. Anbazhagan said the social justice movement in Tamil Nadu and the many leaders it threw up made it possible to establish the concept firmly in Tamil Nadu and most southern States. This did not happen to the same extent in north India, he said and added that this was the reason for pressing for reservation for OBCs all over the country.

S.Peter Alphonse (Congress) criticised those who alleged that reservation for OBCs in educational institutions would lead to dilution of quality. He appealed to the Chief Minister to start preliminary work of taking a survey of minorities in the State. Reservation was not a charity but the birth right of OBCs and SC/STs.

G.K.Mani (PMK) said his party was instrumental in preventing the Centre from taking a decision that would deny reservation for creamy layer among the OBCs.

Y.Sivapuniyam (CPI) wanted Parliament to introduce a bill providing reservation for OBCs in educational institutions. N.Nanmaran (CPI-M) welcomed the resolution urging the Centre to promulgate an ordinance for 27 per cent reservation in educational institutions.

The Assembly adjourned sine die after passing the resolution.

Boycott continues

Members of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Dalit Panthers of India continued their boycott of the session, protesting against the suspension of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam members. Vijayakant (DMDK) also did not attend.

The watch and ward staff stopped AIADMK MLA K. Pandurangan, who tried to enter the Assembly premises. He sat in the parking lot for a while before leaving. Mr. Pandurangan said he was only trying to enter the room of the Leader of the Opposition, but was prevented.

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