Central varsities brainstorm on reservation policy

A two-day national workshop on implementation of reservation policy in Central Universities is being organised by the University of Hyderabad (UoH) on April 30 and May 1. Vice-Chancellor Prof. E Haribabu inaugurating the workshop welcomed the delegates representing more than 40 Central Universities.

Emphasising the need to fulfill the affirmative policy of reservations as enshrined in the provisions of the Constitution, Haribabu was of the view that Central Universities have a major role in guiding the other universities towards this end. He recalled the remarks made by President Pranab Mukherjee that he was very particular that the Central Universities take a lead in this regard.

A vast percentage of faculty positions have been lying vacant for long for want of nominees of the visitor in the panel of Selection Committees. The President has been very particular to address this problem. Prof. Haribabu hoped that the two day workshop will provide a forum for the delegates to seek clarifications from resource persons in realising the fundamental principle of justice- economic, political and social. He also felt that the urgency of the problem be looked at with the same seriousness.

Dr HS Rana Indian Institute of Public Administration (IPA) was of the view that doubts about policies still persist and it is difficult to define them as the concepts are not clear. Dr KG Verma said that reservations are closely related to the Constitutional goals and methods that are in the part 3&4 of the Constitution.

Prof. Mohammad Afzal Zargar, registrar, Central University of Kashmir, hoped that this workshop will throw more light on reservations and with regard to reservations for the Scheduled Tribes he is considering the inclusion of nomadic cattle herders like Gujjar Bhakarwals under the category.