Sibal defends reservation for OBCs, says all to be taken care of

New Delhi, May 24 (UNI) Defending the government's decision to reserve 27 percent seats in higher educational institutes for OBCs, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal today assured that the interests of all sections would be safeguarded.

''This country cannot afford to keep the people who are outside the loop (of development) outside,'' he said here, while highlighting the achievement of his ministry during the past two years of UPA rule.

Endorsing the government decision on the reservation issue, Mr Sibal said that ''this is a government which cares'' and noted that the Prime Minister has already said that the concerns of all the sections will be taken care of.

He said that the general category students would not be affected, while at the same time, the interests of backward classes would be protected. ''The Committee, being constituted by the government to finalise the details of the implementation of reservation, would take into consideration all the views from different universities and institutions,'' he said.

Already Jamia Milia Islamia and many other institutions have said that they are ready to increase the number of seats to implement the provisions of reservation, he pointed out.

Mr Sibal, who was perceived to be opposing the reservation proposals as he had reportedly stated that India could not afford to loose its competitive edge in the current scenario, said that he had never used the words ''merit or reservation'' in his earlier statement.

Regarding the performance of the science and technology ministry, Mr Sibal said that it has performed really well in many fields, especially in development of transgenic plants and biotechnology.

Transgenic mustard and potatoes are being developed by Indian scientists, he pointed out and said that control trial of transgenic mustard is going on and soon it would enter the market.

He said that talks are going on with the Haryana Government for development for a Food Technology Park in the state. Moreover, research is going on material of everyday use like bamboos, vaccines and drugs.

Pointing out that science and technology makes a difference to all the spheres of life, he said that more emphasis would be put on technology beneficial for rural development. Exhibition highlighting technologies significant for rural areas would be held in various parts of the country to enable people to utilise them.

UNI AJ VD DB1952