CCPA to discuss steps to defuse anti-quota stir: Cong

New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) Steps to defuse the situation arising from the nation-wide stir against the proposed OBC quota in premier government-run educational institutions will be discussed at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) to be held this evening, the Congress said today.

The CCPA, to be chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, will not, however, discuss the issue of reservation to be made on the basis of the recent Constitutional amendment approved in Parliament, Congress spokesman Rajiv Shukla told reporters.

The CCPA will deliberate upon the advice that would be given to the Chief Ministers and the guidelines to the state governments and their police force for effectively dealing with the agitators, particularly by the medical fraternity which has hit health services, he said.

The issue of reservation would be taken up the Cabinet later, Mr Shukla clarified.

Seeking to play down HRD Minister Arjun Singh snubbing the Knowledge Commission headed by Mr Sam Pitroda, he said the Minister had merely stated the fact that Parliament was supreme and the commission had no right to question the Constitutional amendment approved by it with support from all political parties.

He also clarified that the proposed OBC reservation move had nothing to do with the Mandal Commission recommendations. The Constitutional amendment had come in the wake of a Supreme Court verdict on reservations, he said.

Replying to queries, Mr Shukla said the Congress was for implementation of the reservation policy for the backward classes without affecting or offending any other section of society.

UNI SN VD HT1707