No question of going back on the issue of OBC quota: Govt

New Delhi, May 17 (UNI) Government today declared that there is no question of going back on the issue of OBC quota but said raising the number of seats in premier institutions such as IITs and IIMs is an option.

''Our commitment is there. We are not going back. At the same time, we will try to take along the agitating medical students who have a right to express their dissenting voice,'' Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh said while replying to a debate on a calling attention motion moved by Mr Santosh Gangwar (BJP) and others in the Lok Sabha.

Without clarifying whether reservation would be provided for OBC students for the 2006-07 academic year, the Minister said there was no delay on the part of the government in announcing its new quota policy.

The government was unable to go ahead on the issue due to the model code of conduct which was in force during the assembly elections in five states, he said.

At the same time, the ...picking up from para five, line one of PAR33, EDUCATION-LEAD OBC QUOTA-LS.

UNI JSS/SN RP VC1848