Government take steps to overcome Supreme Court order

The Government said on Tuesday that it would "immediately" take steps to fulfil its commitment to reservation in educational institutions. The brief statement by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachouri followed the demand by several members in the Rajya Sabha for legislation to overcome the Supreme Court order last week ruling out reservation and quotas in unaided private professional colleges.

"The entire House has expressed its concern over the Supreme Court order. The United Progressive Alliance Government is committed to reservation for the SCs and the STs. After conducting a complete review and taking it very seriously, the Government will take necessary steps in this direction," said Mr. Pachouri.

"Against social justice"

Raising the issue during zero hour, the former Kerala Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, said the judgment was "against all principles of social justice." Poor students from all communities would not get admission to self-financing colleges. He wanted the Government to either introduce a Bill in the current session or proclaim an ordinance to restore reservation in self-financing institutions.

Other members joined Mr. Antony in demanding the negation of the court order through legislation or ordinance.

Calling the judgment the "ultimate commercialisation of education," Nilotpal Basu (CPI-M) said the Supreme Court had encroached on an area that belonged to Parliament. "It has to respond to this question appropriately and Parliament cannot respond autonomously unless the Government brings in an ordinance."

He termed the Minister's statement ``wishy-washy'' and felt that a more considered response would be in order.

The Supreme Court on August 12 ruled that unaided minority and non-minority institutions had the right to admit students of their choice in medical, engineering and other professional courses without government interference. It abolished state quota and reservation in these colleges and made it clear that the judgment would be effective from the next academic year and all admissions made during 2005-2006 through court orders and directions of the State committees would not be disturbed.

The court held that reservation of seats in unaided professional institutions was a serious encroachment on the right and autonomy of private professional educational institutions.