SC order: LDF to discuss OBC quota issue

Thiruvanathapuram, May 7 (UNI) Kerala Education Minister M A Baby today said the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) will discuss the issue of ensuring reservation for SC/ST and OBCs in the self- financing professional institutions in the wake of an adverse Supreme Court verdict.

Reacting to the Supreme Court not staying the Kerala High Court verdict quashing certain provisions in the Kerala Professional Colleges Act, he said the government was bound to implement court orders but at the same time the Justice P A Mohammed Committee still had the authority to monitor admission procedures and see if the right candidate got admission.

Last year, the Committee had found out irregularities in the entrance test conducted by the private college consortium.

Asked if the government would go for a discussion with the self-financing professional colleges at this juncture, he said it should be decided by the government.

Pointing out that the self-financing professional management had got an upper hand this year over the admissions, he said the government had pleaded in the Supreme Court to stay the High Court verdict so that it did not affect the admissions this year.

Mr Baby also said the self-financing managements in the state had cheated the people as they had agreed for 50:50 seats in the colleges before they started the colleges. But once they got the approval for starting colleges they changed their stance, he alleged.

The Kerala High Court had struck down as 'unconstitutional' certain provisions of Kerala Professional Colleges (Prohibition of Capitation Fee, Regulation of Admission, Fixation of Non-exploitative Fee and Other Measures to Ensure Equity and Excellence in Professional Education) Act, 2006. This was challenged by the Kerala Government in the apex court.

UNI