http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Start_admissions_without_OBC_quota_Govt/articleshow/msid-1965407,curpg-2.cms
Start admissions without OBC quota: Govt 27 Apr 2007, 1319 hrs IST,PTI NEW DELHI: After days of uncertainty, government on Friday issued a directive to all Central educational institutions to commence admissions for General and SC/ST categories asserting "every constitutional and legal" measure will be taken to ensure the OBC reservation. The directive to 64 Central government funded institutions, including IIMs and IITs, came after UPA allies and Left parties gave a go-ahead to the government to allow admissions to general, SC and ST categories for the coming academic session without the OBC quota for the time being. "... the offer of admissions to the ensuing academic session in Central Educational Institutions shall, until further communication, be limited to the approved intake that existed during the academic session 2006-07," said the directive. The directive also made it clear that "no offers of admissions shall be made until further communication in respect of seats that are proposed to be expanded during the ensuing academic session." HRD Minister Arjun Singh told reporters on Friday that notwithstanding the order, the commitment of the government to the principle of reservation to OBCs is irrevocable. "We shall explore every constitutional and legal procedure by which to ensure it," said Singh. Asked about CPI(M)'s suggestions for a "fallback option" in case the Supreme Court does not vacated the stay on 27 per cent OBC quotas, Singh said "all kinds of options were voiced. Obviously, that is not the manner in which we can function. When the situation comes we can see." To a question whether the government was hopeful of a positive outcome, he said the court will have to take a decision and "we are waiting for that. Government has made no decision on that." Pressed further on the options before the government, Singh said: "There is always an option for everything but we should not start thinking about options even before the time has arrived."
