Arjun concedes differences with states over creamy layer issue

New Delhi, Oct 20 (UNI) Union Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh today conceded there were differences with states over the creamy layer issue in implementation of reservation in private unaided institutions, a Bill on which he expects to introduce in the coming session of Parliament.

Some states were in favour of keeping creamy layer out of the quota benefit, while some wanted inclusion of all sections, he said talking to newspersons after a two-day meeting of Group of Ministers on reservation with Chief Ministers and Education Ministers of states which ended here this evening.

When asked about the Centre's stand, he said the Cabinet had already taken a view on the matter, and the same will prevail in the case of the proposed legislation too.

Mr Singh also made it categorically clear that demands of some states(BJP-ruled ones) to include minority institutions too in the purview of quota could not be conceded as such institutions had been exempted by a law passed by Parliament and those making such demands were party to the passage of the law.

Representatives of states including Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan had earlier said they had put forward their opposition to exclusion of religious minorities out of the purview of quota implementation.

The Human Resources Development Minister said there were no differences with states as far as introduction of quota was concerned.

Some states have already introduced quota and have farmed their own rules and regulations, but they have told the Centre that they would amend their law in accordance with the legislation the Centre was going to have.

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