Constitutional amendment to annul SC order on quota in AIIMS faculty

NEW DELHI: Amid demands from various parties, government today said in Lok Sabha that it will consider bringing a constitutional amendment in the current session of Parliament to annul a Supreme Court order against reservation for faculty in superspeciality section in AIIMS.

Speaker Meira Kumar set aside the agenda for Question Hour and took up the AIIMS reservation issue and asked members from different parties to express their views. Most parties suggested the government should bring a constitutional amendment without delay.

Law Minister Kapil Sibal, however, maintained that the government will file a review petition on Monday (August 19) in the Supreme Court seeking revocation of the order against reservation in AIIMS for higher faculty.

He said if the order is not annulled, the government will bring a constitutional amendment in Parliament.

This agitated the members who demanded that the government bring a constitutional amendment at the earliest.

DMK members, led by T R Baalu, trooped into the Well to press for their demand, while members from almost all parties were on their feet in protest.

An agitated Sibal said, "Our party has always supported reservations. This right was given by Congress. You all did not give it. On this issue we have taken the initiative."

As the din continued, the Speaker asked the members to go back to their seats. "The whole House is very agitated over this issue and my suggestion to the government side is that it should think of a constitutional amendment."

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath failed to pacify the members. "No doubt the House is united on this issue. We will bring a constitutional amendment," he said.

Members shouted in protest and did not allow him to complete his sentence. The Chair, then, adjourned the House till noon.