Arjun Singh meets PM on quota

QUOTA UNQUOTE: IIMs have decided to keep admissions on hold till SC decides on the quota issue.

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• SC stays OBC quota in Symbiosis admissions
• Quota in IITs, IIMs to cost Rs 2,122 cr
• BJP seeks law to protect OBC quota

Keywords: Meet, Pm

New Delhi: Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh on Wednesday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on how to go about ensuring the interests of general category students in IIM admissions while protecting the OBC students.

Before his meeting with the Prime Minister, the HRD Minister said that there was a “qualitative change” in the situation following Supreme Court advancing the hearing on the quota issue by three months.

Accepting Centre's plea, the Apex court had on Tuesday decided to hear the issue relating to 27per cent quota for OBCs in elite educational institutions on May 8.

Arjun Singh was quoted by PTI as describing the court direction as a "welcome step". He said that the decision of the Supreme Court to advance the hearings will benefit students.

He also said that the decision to put on hold the IIM admissions was a collective one.

"Contrary to what has been suggested, the decision was not an arbitrary one by the HRD Ministry. It was advised by all political parties and allies that the admission should be held up till the matter is resolved," he said.

"It indicates that the court has understood the implications of this issue which has wide ramifications. I hope the early hearing can lead to a solution to the issue," he added.

The IIMs have decided to keep on hold, admissions to their post graduate programme for the coming academic year till the Supreme Court decides on the quota for OBCs in elite educational institutions.

The elite business schools said they would offer admissions to successful candidates for the 2007 programme only after the impasse over quotas for OBCs is sorted out.

(With inputs from PTI)