Andhra Pradesh   

Muslim quota likely to be reduced in A.P.

Staff Reporter

Bid to overcome legal hurdles: Minister

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Government is planning to scale down the promised reservation to Muslims from 5 to 4 per cent with a view to steering clear of legal hurdles. Constitutional experts F.S. Nariman and K.K. Venugopal are being consulted on the matter. "During 2007-08, reservations will be definitely provided and in all likelihood it will be 4 per cent," said Minister for Information and Public Relations Mohd. Ali Shabbir.

He was speaking to presspersons after inaugurating B.Ed. counselling for minority institutions here on Tuesday. The four-day counselling is being organised by the Federation of A.P Minority Educational Institutions at the Institute of Engineering, Khairatabad.

Efforts were on to rectify the points raised by the High Court and to ensure that the total reservation did not exceed 50 per cent. As per the courts observations the Government would appoint a few experts to the B.C Commission. Special Secretary to Chief Minister Jannat Husain was seized of the matter and holding a weekly review meeting. The Government was exploring the options whether to file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court or bring in a fresh bill in the Assembly providing for 4 per cent reservation. "At any cost we will provide reservation next academic year," the Minister said.

The recent ruling of the apex court that laws in the 9th Schedule were open to judicial review had come as a dampener. The Government could not take a risk by providing 5 per cent reservation and placing it in the 9th Schedule, Mr. Shabbir said.

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