The Hindu : Front Page : Arjun Singh writes to Karunanidhi

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Sunday, Apr 13, 2008
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Arjun Singh writes to Karunanidhi

Special Correspondent

Says all contentious issues on quota will be taken up with UPA constituents

CHENNAI: The Union government is going ahead with the implementation of 27 per cent quota for Other Backward Classes in Central institutions of higher learning, according to Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh.

In a letter sent to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Saturday, Mr. Singh said all the contentious issues would be taken up subsequently in consultation with the constituents of the United Progressive Alliance.

Referring to the Supreme Court order on the quota issue, he said this was possible because of the “constant support and guidance you (Mr. Karunanidhi) gave to me in this matter.”

In New Delhi, Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T.R. Baalu called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and conveyed Mr. Karunanidhi’s appreciation of the efforts taken by the Centre in the quota case, a press release issued by the Union Minister’s office stated.

In a letter handed over to Dr. Singh, the Union Minister said the present parameters for identifying the OBCs were “sweeping and indiscriminatory.” Further, the income limit prescribed for the purpose had become outdated, particularly in the wake of the recent Sixth Pay Commission recommendations. The communities could not fully reap the benefits of the quota system because of the “stringent parameters.” So, there was an urgent need to review the income limit.

Mr. Baalu requested the Prime Minister to take immediate measures for a “fair and just” review by the government of the various parameters, including the income limit for defining the OBCs, so that a solution could be found.

He mentioned in his letter how Mr. Karunanidhi had been strongly advocating the cause of reservation to the OBCs in the institutions of higher learning. He recalled that the Chief Minister had appealed to Dr. Singh personally and through letters on the issue.

The release stated that Mr. Baalu informed Dr. Singh that further views of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam would be offered by Mr. Karunanidhi for facilitating elaborate discussions on the issue.

The Prime Minister, according to the release, said the HRD Minister had been advised to study the pros and cons of the issue, including the creamy layer aspect, with the allies of the UPA and political parties for arriving at a consensus.

Another release stated that Mr. Baalu met the HRD Minister and congratulated him for his contributions on the reservation issue.

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