Panjab University to do away with 7% OBC quota

In a move which is bound to cause ripples in the student community at large, the Panjab University (PU) has decided to do away with its 7% Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota from the next academic session.

The decision has come in the wake of a recent affidavit by the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) in the Punjab and Haryana high court, stating that PU is neither a central university nor centrally-funded.

The university had set aside the OBC quota rather late in the session, October 31, 2008, being the last date for applications, following Supreme Court orders that it be introduced in central or centrally-funded universities. It planned to implement 27% reservation for OBC candidates in three phases, which would eventually have led to an overall increase of 54% seats.

"Since the ministry has not declared PU either a central or centrally-funded university, we thought it fit to do away with the OBC quota from the next session. It has already implemented in the current batches," PU vice-chancellor R C Sobti told TOI on Wednesday. The university has already received a Rs 5-crore MHA grant for implementing the quota and is required to give money utilization certificate to the ministry. "We will not be returning the money (already used) and will instead submit money utilization certificate," Sobti added.

Reactions to the PU decision came fast and furious. Ronki Ram, president, Panjab University Teachers' Union, said, "The university has already implemented the quota, thereby raising the expectations of students. I think the Union ministry should reconsider its decision and grant funds so that we can at least maintain the status quo on OBC quota."

Expressing similar views, Panjab University campus Students' Council president Sahil Nanda added, "OBC students are going to suffer because of contradictory letters sent out by MHA."

At present, the university receives 60% grant from the Chandigarh administration and 40% from the Punjab government. However, it has time and again raised the issue of financial crunch since it has not been getting its share from Punjab. In fact, it is one reason why PUTA has been demanding a central status for the institute. The state government, for obvious reasons, has been turning down the demand.

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