Cong declines to comment on enabling OBC quota

New Delhi, Aug 21: The Congress today refrained from commenting on the shape of the proposed enabling bill for implementation of the Constitutional Amendment Bill providing for 27 per cent reservation to OBCs in educational institutions of higher learning.

''Wait and watch for a short while,'' party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said replying to a question at his routine briefing in the Parliament's premises.

He said the party was in the midst of 'active decision-making process, and hence, he would not like to say anything that would preempt the decision.

Noting that the views of the high-powered Oversight Committee on Reservation to OBCs were ''crucial'' and had to be taken into account before arriving at a final decision, he said that they have to take ''a holistic view which is workable''.

''The matter needs intense discussion to consider the various related aspects like reservation in aided and unaided institutions, the issue of the 'creamy layer', the question of institutions reserved for minorities and so on,'' Mr Singhvi said.

Replying to a question on the demand of UPA ally TRS for the separate state of Telengana, he called on mediapersons to refer to the statement of party General Secretary incharge of Andhra Pradesh Digvijay Singh to know the party's stand. However, the party wanted Mr Chandrashekhar Rao and his party to remain in the UPA alliance, he added.

Disagreeing with the claim that the Congress was going back on its promise made in the party manifesto and the CMP for creating a separate state of Telengana, Mr Singhvi said the party was awaiting the recommendation of the high-powered committee constituted for the purpose.

UNI

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