'Centre must protect quota through amendments'

Chennai, Apr 25: The BJP today demanded that the Union Governmentshould immediately amend the constitution to ensure 27 per centreservation for the OBCs in institutions of higher learning.

Addressing a press conference here party national secretary SThirunavukkarasar accused the Congress-led UPA government at the Centreof not handling the reservation issue properly in the Supreme court.

He said due to the ''inefficiency'' of the UPA Government for thelast three years, unemployment, terrorism, rising prices of essentialcommodities were growing unchecked affecting particulary the ruralpopulace of the country.

To a question, the former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha membersaid the Centre could carry on the ongoing Sethu Samudhram CanalProject without destroying the Ramar Bridge, by using some alternativemethod available abundantly in that area.

The BJP leader requested the Centre not to extend any militaryassgrence to the Sri Lankan government as it would be used againstinnocent Tamils in the Island nation.

Referring to the Cauvery water issue, Mr Thirunavukkarasar said itwas unfortunate that the Tamil Nadu Government was unable to take afinal decision on whether to file an appeal before the Tribunal orbefore the Supreme Court.

There was nothing wrong in approaching the apex Court as KarnatakaGovernment had already refused to implement the interim orders of theCauvery Water Dispute Tribunal.

The state government should immediately constitute an expertcommittee to deal with the Cauvery water issue to protect the interestof the state, he added.

He wanted the Union Government to intervene in the issue and gazette the Tribunal's final verdict.

UNI

Related Stories