Draft bill on OBC quota in unaided institutions ready: Arjun Singh

New Delhi, Aug 9 (UNI) Undeterred by the Supreme Court's refusal to vacate the stay on the implementation of the 27 per cent quota for OBC in central educational institutions, Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh today said his ministry is ready with a new Bill for OBC quota in unaided institutions.

''The draft bill on OBC quota in unaided institutions is ready, hopefully it will be tabled in the monsoon session of Parliament,'' Mr Singh told reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Studies on Freedom Struggle at IGNOU here.

Asserting that the Supreme Court directive was not a ''setback'', Mr Singh said the reservation issue was not ''dead'' as this was not the final verdict.

''The OBC reservation issue is not dead, the implementation has only been stayed. We will hold consultations and discussion and may be call an all-party meeting on the issue,'' Mr Singh added.

Regarding the HRD Ministry's decision to invite applications for the post of director in three IIMs, the Minister said the Government does not interfere with their functioning.

''The advertisement was given to increase the number of applicants for the post of the director and make it more wide ranging. But the search and select committee will be free to take the final call,'' he added.

Earlier, Mr Singh in his address at the launch, paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, saying her role as a patriot has been proved in a series of measures she took to honour freedom fighters during her tenure as Prime Minister.

''Ms Gandhi was the symbol of freedom and human dignity when it came to ascertaining the position of the entire developing world vis-avis the so called advanced civilised nations,'' he added.

The Centre has been set up carry out relevant research and conduct other activities to honour freedom fighters and martyrs with a view to keep alive the patriotic spirit, communal harmony and multi-culturalism.

It was inaugurated today to commemorate 150 years of the First war of Indian Independence, 1857. The Centre would also provide inputs for national and international museums for the freedom fighters being set up by the Government.

A Chair on Bahadur Shah Zafar has also been set up as part of the Centre's efforts to commemorate his historical role as a leader of Indian rebels in 1857.

An encyclopaedia of the Indian Freedom Movement including all revolts, rebellions, satyagrahas, movements, campaigns and agitations as also the role of revolutionaries, sacrifices of martyrs, both in British India and the erstwhile Indian states beginning from the battle of plassey onwards, will be prepared by the Centre.

UNI