Chidambaram rules out revision of quota policy

New Delhi, June 10 (UNI) Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram has categorically stated that the Government had no intention of going in for a revision of the reservation policy, and said he was also personally convinced about its usefulness.

''As I understand the Government's reply there is no ground to review whether there should be reservation or not'' he told CNN-IBM in its programme Devil's Advocate when reminded about the government's written assurance to agitating students last month for considering their demand for revision of the policy.

The programme will be teleacst on Sunday night.

''There is no ground at all... if a review means questioning the justification of reservations, I say no,'' said Mr Chidambaram, who is a member of the group of ministers looking into the issue of reservations for OBCs in higher education.

Mr Chidambaram said if Mr Oscar Fernandes gave a written assurance to students that their demand for a non-political commissioin to review the existing resrevation policy would be examined, the minister might be giving his own stand, but the government would announce its position once the Cabinet meet to decide for itself.

He, however, said the government has still to establish the basis for its proposal of 27 per cent reservation which has been demanded by the court.

When asked about the reply the government would give to the Supreme Court in response to its demand for an explanation of the basis on which the government was proposing 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in higher education, he said:''The Ministry has to put together all the material available to it to reach the conclusion of 27 per cent...the material would be put together. Wait for the material.'' He refused to reveal the basis on which the government was proposing the 27 per cent reservation for OBCs.

About his own personal stand on the issue, the Finance Minister expressed a categorical support for reservation for OBCs in higher education, pointing out that this policy had worked effectively in the south.

'It all began in the state of Mysore almost 75 years ago. In Tamil Nadu we have had reservation for over 60 years. Undoubtedly they have succeeded..I know from experience that reservations have helped many, many, many members of the OBcs to rise in the southern states. I am totally convinced about that.' UNI NAZ VA RK1011