In a move to roll out the recently introduced 10% reservation policy for economically weaker sections (EWS) among ‘forward castes’ in centrally funded higher education institutions (HEIs) from the 2019-20 academic session, the Centre has decided to foot the additional financial requirements for the same.
The government has also asked all 40 central universities, which includes JNU, DU, AMU, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Visva Bharati among others, and 77 other government HEIs for details of seat availability and the financial requirements. The HEIs have been asked to respond by January 31 stating that the institutions are to implement the 10% EWS reservation from the forthcoming academic session.
Speaking to TOI on Sunday, higher education secretary R Subrahmanyam said the government has asked for the actual requirements due to the EWS reservation so that it can extend additional financial assistance to the institutions. “There is no question of not funding. We have asked for the actuals so that we know the requirements of each institute and then prepare a funding plan,” he said.
Last week, Subrahmanyam had said, “Whenever there has been an increase in intake, the government has always provided funds as per actual requirements.”
The government is keen on a rollout in the forthcoming academic session and is framing rules for the implementation of the quota in private institutions as well. The constitutional amendment passed by Parliament states the reservation will be applicable in aid as well as unaided educational institutions.
The Union cabinet on January 7 approved a constitutional amendment bill providing 10% reservation for economically weaker sections in direct recruitment (in government jobs) and for admission in HEIs.
The HRD ministry’s office memorandum of January 17 said reservation shall be provided to EWSs for admission in central educational institutions from the 2019-20 session. The office memorandum also said the EWS reservation would not be applicable to the eight institutions of excellence, research institutions, institutions of national and strategic importance and minority institutions.
The government has asked central educational institutions to increase the number of seats over and above its annual permitted strength in each branch of study or faculty so that the number of seats available, excluding those reserved for persons belonging to EWS, is not less than the number of such seats available, in each category, for the academic session immediately preceding the date of the coming into force of this office memorandum.
A UGC letter dated January 18 to central universities and other centrally funded HEIs asked them to implement reservation for EWS from the 2019-20 academic session. “You are further requested to furnish the seat matrix, programme-wise… before January 31, 2019,” the letter said.
Couresty: TOI
