Govt to introduce legislation for reservation: Minister

Chennai, Aug 7 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government will introduce legislation for providing reservation for minorities in all educational institutions and employment opportunities in government services, Backward Classes Minister M R K Panneerselvam announced in the State Assembly today.

Moving the demand for grants for BC, MBC and Minorities Welfare Department, he said the government bestowed special interest on the welfare of Muslims and Christians for their educational and economic uplift.

Necessary legislation would be introduced for reservation in all educational institutions and employment opportunities in government services, he added.

He said the government had been constantly urging the Centre to bring in constitutional amendments empowering the States to determine the percentage of reservation according to their own needs.

Since there was no provision in the Constitution to provide reservation in the private sectors, the State would make all efforts to request the Centre to bring in an amendment to Article 16 of the Constitution.

The State Government would expedite the cases pending before the Supreme Court, questioning the validity of the Tamil Nadu Act 45/1994, providing 69 per cent reservaton of seats in educational institutions and appointment in public services.

Mr Panneerselvam said the proposal to re-constitute the State Haj Committee was also under the consideration of the government.

MORE UNI GV JJ VD KP1851