Quota: VP moots more seats for general category

Lucknow, May 16: Former Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh today mooted more seats for the general category to avoid further confrontation on the issue of providing reservations to OBCs in centrally-funded institutions of higher education.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Singh, who had implemented the controversial Mandal Commission recommendations, said any division in society would only harm the national interests.

''We have to take everyone together...the seats for the general category could be increased to accomodate deserving students both from the general category and OBC quota,'' he added.

Propogating a 'middle path' approach, the former PM said the government should initiate talks with the agitating students to find a solution to the imbroglio. ''While we should keep everyone's interest in mind, it was also important that deserving students from the OBC category get their due.'' The Raja of Manda claimed that while the agitating doctors had all rights to hold protests, the well-being of the patients should not be ignored. He said demonstrations and treatment of patients could be managed together.

To a suggestion that HRD minister Arjun Singh's move was being termed 'Mandal II', he said it was more of a compliment for him.

UNI

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