IIMs can finally get on with it

NEW DELHI: As expected, the government on Thursday asked the IIMs to go ahead with the admission process for the general and SC-ST category students.

It will take a call on the controversial OBC quota after the Supreme Court’s hearing on the case on May 8. The government move came after its allies gave their consent to the HRD ministry’s plan to keep a decision on the OBC quota in abeyance for now. The allies were given an opportunity to use the forum of Parliament to signal their commitment to the proposed quota regime.

IIM-Ahmedabad, meanwhile, indicated it might send offer of admission to students in two days if it receives communication from the HRD ministry, giving a go-ahead to start admission by Friday.

During a brief discussionon the matter in the Lok Sabha, political parties said efforts should be made to implement the unanimous resolution of Parliament.

Later, at ameeting convenedby HRDminister Arjun Singh, law minister HRBhardwaj told the allies that the government should not be seen as going against the directions of the court.

The law minister also said nothing should bedone to annoy the court at a time when it has agreed to advance the hearing in the case. Mr Singh, who said the government was committed to the implementation of the OBC quota, added that the ministry has to be mindful of the admissionprocess.He said the OBC quota could be filled up as soon as the court settles the matter.

The participants at the meeting, who agreed with the government’s concerns, said it should follow up the case properly. The fact that the southern allies, who have been egging on the Centrefor a confrontation with the judiciary over the issue, were part of the decision is some comfort for the ruling side.