Oversight panel discusses road map on quota

Seeking to break the impasse over the reservation issue, a high-power Government panel on Tuesday discussed the broad contours of a road map to find an effective solution to the problem.

In its first meeting, the Oversight Committee, constituted by the Centre, deliberated upon the ways and means of introducing OBC quotas in higher educational institutes and requirement of increasing seats without reducing the number in general category.

"We have identified various areas to draw a comprehensive roadmap to introduce quotas and increase the number of seats for the general category," Committee Chairman Veerappa Moily said after a two-hour meeting attended by nine of the 13 members of the Committee.

Moily said money would not be an issue while raising the seats in educational institutes and the Government has already earmarked a substantial package for an expansion plan.

Ahead of the meeting, Moily met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi who expressed their keenness to resolve the present crisis in an amicable way.

"Gandhi has given some suggestions and is anxious to see a solution to the current problem," he said.

Bhalchandra Mungekar, Member, Planning Commission, PK Hota, Union Health Secretary and SK Thorat, UGC Chairman were among those who attended the meeting.

According to Moily, the Committee will meet on Wednesday with the chairmen of the five sub-groups formed to look into modalities of the proposal.