New Delhi, February 25 2009
Under pressure from allies, the UPA has withdrawn the controversial Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation in Posts and Services) Bill, 2008, that seeks to keep 47 institutes of national importance outside the quota purview. The bill was listed for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha today but it did not come up.
Explaining the UPA’s change of mind, Minister of State in the PMO Prithviraj Chavan said the government needed to consult the National Commission for Scheduled Castes before bringing the bill to the House. “We sought legal advice on the matter after commission chairperson Buta Singh sought a presidential reference. The Law Ministry replied today saying a consultation with the commission is necessary,” Chavan said.
The move comes days after the MPs stormed the Lok Sabha demanding the government to drop the clause that rules out job quota in 47 institutes, including IITs and IIMs. While the BSP demanded withdrawal of the bill, others, including the BJP, SP, RJD and the LJP wanted suitable amendments - a proposal the government agreed to. The possibility of the bill not being passed in this session was earlier reported in these columns.
Interestingly, on February 20 Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi had even said the government would bring the amended bill. Today, however, he was in a tight spot - left alone to explain the development. He dismissed the MPs’ apprehensions saying the government was not withdrawing the bill and was just “keeping it under consideration.”
The UPA’s stance was, however, not taken lying down. The MPs strongly objected to the move today and sought copies of the comments made by Buta Singh. The House also reminded the government of how it had pushed the bill in the Rajya Sabha last December.
Source:- http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090226/nation.htm#2
Under pressure from allies, the UPA has withdrawn the controversial Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation in Posts and Services) Bill, 2008, that seeks to keep 47 institutes of national importance outside the quota purview. The bill was listed for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha today but it did not come up.
Explaining the UPA’s change of mind, Minister of State in the PMO Prithviraj Chavan said the government needed to consult the National Commission for Scheduled Castes before bringing the bill to the House. “We sought legal advice on the matter after commission chairperson Buta Singh sought a presidential reference. The Law Ministry replied today saying a consultation with the commission is necessary,” Chavan said.
The move comes days after the MPs stormed the Lok Sabha demanding the government to drop the clause that rules out job quota in 47 institutes, including IITs and IIMs. While the BSP demanded withdrawal of the bill, others, including the BJP, SP, RJD and the LJP wanted suitable amendments - a proposal the government agreed to. The possibility of the bill not being passed in this session was earlier reported in these columns.
Interestingly, on February 20 Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi had even said the government would bring the amended bill. Today, however, he was in a tight spot - left alone to explain the development. He dismissed the MPs’ apprehensions saying the government was not withdrawing the bill and was just “keeping it under consideration.”
The UPA’s stance was, however, not taken lying down. The MPs strongly objected to the move today and sought copies of the comments made by Buta Singh. The House also reminded the government of how it had pushed the bill in the Rajya Sabha last December.
Source:- http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090226/nation.htm#2
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