Pawar supports reservation in educational institutes
Pune, May 1 (UNI) Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today supported 50 per cent reservation in educational institutions saying it was part of the social responsibilty of the elite to create opportunities for the lesser privileged.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the new blocks at Women's College of Engineering and College of Pharmacy of the All India Shri Shivaji Memorial Society here, Mr Pawar said there was enough talent among the lesser privileged and backward classes but they needed opportunities.
''There can be no compromise in the quality of education but opportunities must be given to the neglected classes,'' he said.
Mr Pawar said Maharashtra should lead the country in implementing the government's decision and bring in suitable legislation to implement the policy. ''People must understand that the rest must be pulled up and open their doors,'' he said.
Echoing the same sentiments, State Minister for Higher and Technical Education Dilip-Walse Patil said reservations were essential to uplift the deprived and denied.
To a query on bringing in a legislation to implement the same, he said the State Cabinet would decide on it. To another query on the implementation of the policy in private colleges, Mr Patil said deemed universities did not come under the purview of the legislation, since education is a state subject. However, it was for the Centre to take a decision in this regard, he said.
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