No review of quota policy: FM

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• Brand IIT can coexist with quota raj
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• Debate: Has the anti-quota lobby lost the war?
• Is Kalam a pawn in President polls?
• VP says he'll back out for Kalam

Keywords: P Chidambaram, Arjun Singh

He denied that this meant that the Government had made the proposal without having a formal basis. "The Government will answer in a proper forum, in the Parliament, in the Supreme Court (but) not in an interview.

"The ministry has to put together all the material available to it to reach the conclusion of 27 percent." The Government will compile its answer on the basis of various state reports on OBC numbers, the Mandal report and the NSSO surveys:

"If the Tamil Nadu Sattanathan report is based on evidence, if the Tamil Nadu Ambasankar report is based on evidence, that represents 6 crore people who make up the 100 crore… Any other report that will be available in every other state, all that material will be put together. The Mandal (report) will be referred to, the NSSO survey will be referred to and a proper affidavit will be filed (in the Supreme Court)."

Speaking about his own personal position, Chidambaram said he supported reservations in higher education for OBCs and was totally convinced that the policy has worked in southern states.

"I support reservation. Amongst all the instruments available to us for affirmative action, the one that has proved most effective is reservations. Experience tells us that—The experience of southern states. It all began in the state of Mysore, almost 75 years ago. In Tamil Nadu we have had reservations for over 60 years. Undoubtedly they have succeeded. I know from experience that reservations have helped many, many, many members of the OBCs to rise in the southern states. I am totally convinced about that."

Watch the complete interview with P Chidambaram on Devil's Advocate, Sunday, June 11 at 2030 hrs (IST), only on CNN-IBN.