NEW DELHI: A Planning Commission working group has suggested strict action including cancellation of accreditation and withdrawal of financial support against universities and other institutions which are not implementing the reservation policy.

While calling for increased access to minorities in all non-minority institutions, it says minority institutions, though exempted from reservation under the 93rd Constitution Amendment, should set apart some seats for the marginalised sections within their own community.

"They should be obligated to reserve certain seats for members of their own minority community who belong to the SCs, the STs and OBCs.''While conceding the autonomy of institutions of higher learning, the Working Group Report on the Development of Education of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, girls and Other Disadvantaged Groups for the Eleventh Five-Year Plan said they should provide the protection mandated by law for the disadvantaged sections.

Teaching and other posts in universities and other institutions should be filled as per the reservation policy without dilution. The University Grants Commission should make strict rules and regulations to fill reserved category posts. Defaulting universities or affiliated colleges should not be granted financial support.

Coaching schemes for the SCs, the STs and minorities should be transferred to the Human Resource Development Ministry from other ministries. To ensure implementation of reservation laws, SC, ST and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Disadvantaged Groups cells should be set up in all universities. They could also double up as anti-discrimination cells.

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