Striking Medicos disappointed with PMs remarks on quota

New Delhi, May 25 (UNI) Striking students and doctors tonight expressed disappointment over Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's comments on OBC reservation, saying the purpose of negotiations was defeated as the Government will not change its decision.

''It is very disappointing on one hand the Prime Minister said he is open for talks and on the other the OBC reservation issue will not be changed,'' said Ms Amitasha Sinha, leader for Youth for Equality which is spearheading the agitation.

''It is unfortunate that the Prime Minister's first comments on the issue are on such lines,'' she added.

She said the agitation will continue and will be intensified further.

Earlier in Srinagar, Dr Singh said the government would seek all ''viable and credible ways'' to protect the interests of all sections of society.

Appealing to the agitating doctors and students to call off their agitation, Dr Singh said the UPA-Left Coordination Committee had worked out a detailed roadmap for reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

''That resolution (UPA-Left) is a public document,'' he said.

The Prime Minister also said it was not correct for anyone to state that he has remained silent on the month-long agitation against reservation of seats for the OBCs.

When asked whether he would hold talks with the agitating students, Dr Singh said he was ''not averse'' to meeting anyone, but made it clear that the government would stick to the decision of providing 27 per cent reservation for the OBCs since Parliament has passed the 93rd constitutional amendment and the UPA-Left was committed to the implementation of the decision.

He said since there was a lot of time left for the implementation of the reservation provisions from June 2007, solutions would be found through the committee of Vice-Chancellors and Directors of the IITs/IIMs so that the interests of all sections are protected.

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