Arjun says Govt not considering minority quota, Patil says it is

New Delhi, Jan 16 (UNI) Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh today said there was no proposal before the Centre for giving reservation to minorities.

On the contrary, earlier in the day, Home Minister Shivraj Patil had said the government was looking into the demand of quota for minorities in educational institution and government jobs.

Asked about it, Mr Singh said to his knowledge the Centre was not considering any such proposal.

Mr Singh's reaction to the Home Minister's statement came while addressing a press conference after a meeting of the National Monitoring Committee on Minority Education set up by his Ministry.

''Any way I don't know in what context Mr Patil had said that, but so far the Centre had not taken any decision on it,'' he added.

Mr Patil in his address to the Annual National Conference of State Minorities Commission had said the government would see what can be done about the minorities demand for quota.

''If something was required to be done it should be done,'' he had said.

UNI NAZ KD RS2113