New Delhi, October 26
Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh’s assertion that deemed universities have unanimously agreed to implement the OBC reservation was refuted by heads of many such institutions who claimed that they were “not even included in the meeting called to discuss the issue”.
While the minister, who convened a meeting here today, announced “everyone was of the view that there should be reservation,” heads of some deemed universities (DU) said they had already conveyed their concerns against such a move to the government.
“Deemed universities are not for mass education. That commitment of the government (to provide mass education) is being fulfilled by central and state universities. The DUs are for excellence in certain earmarked areas. They have a separate function and should be allowed to work autonomously,” said the Vice-Chancellor of a deemed university in the Capital.
Refuting the government’s claim that the decision to implement reservation is unanimous, officials of some DUs said, the government had invited “only a select few”. They said, “Invitation to join today’s meeting was extended to only those who the government was confident would toe its line. Some of us were not even
informed about the meeting”.
The HRD Minister on his part said the suggestions for the implementation of reservation that the DU officials had put forth would now be discussed by the Group of Ministers (GoM).
Incidentally, while the Centre is also considering to set-up an authority under the supervision of University Grants Commission (UGC) to regulate the fee and seat structure while implementing its reservation policy in unaided education institutes in the country, the commission itself remained conspicuous by its absence at today’s meeting.
Among the universities that were represented at the meeting were Symbiosis, BITS, Pilani, and Manipal Academy of Higher Education. Assuring the government that they would comply with the reservation policy these heads of the universities also discussed whether the same should be implemented in one go or phased manner.
“There is need to discus how the quotas will be extended, who will decide the fee structure, will there be more financial burden on the general category students. It is not enough to say reserve seats,” said a senior functionary of another deemed university in the Capital.
