Arjun pained over Kapil's views on quota, complains to PM

New Delhi, Apr 30 (UNI) Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh today expressed strong disapproval of his cabinet collegue Kapil Sibal's ''dissenting statement'' on the reservation issue saying the decisionhad been taken collectively by the Cabinet.

He also appealed to the agitating medical students not to listen to those ''instigating them'' and promised to speak on the issue in detail after May 11, the day the ongoing Assembly election in five states end.

The Minister said as no decision was taken in islolation, so it was not desirable that a senior Cabinet colleague should go public against it.

When asked about Mr Sibal's reported view against quota in the IIMs and other professional institutions, Mr Singh, without naming the Science and Technology Minister, said it was not desirable for Cabinet colleagues ''to do that once a decison has been taken on some issue.'' ''I have certainly apprised the Prime Minister of the statement given by the Cabinet colleague,'' he told a press conference here.

Mr Sibal had yesterday sought to clarify that he was not against reservation, saying he had not talked about quota or reservation policy of the government.

''What I said was India must continue to have competitive edge because the world is looking towards it for high quality human resources,'' he had said Strongly dismissing the view that he was being isolated in his party, Mr Singh said he has brought up no issue which does not conform with the party's views.

He, however, refused to answer all other questions relating to the quota saying, ''My lips have been sealed. I will speak on the issue only after May 11 as the Election Commission does not permit me to say anything till the ongoing election process is complete.'' More UNI NAZ AK RR PC1530