Cong seeks law for SC, ST quota in private, non-minority educational institutions
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Monday demanded that the government bring in a legislation for SC, ST and OBC quota in private, non-minority educational institutions in the country.
In a statement, Congress general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh noted that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports had recommended a new legislation to implement Article 15(5).
Article 15(5) allows the state to make special provisions by law for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes, including reservation in educational institutions, both public and private, except for minority educational institutions.
Ramesh said the Congress had during the last Lok Sabha polls committed itself to bringing legislation to implement Article 15(5) of the Constitution in private educational institutions.
"In its 364th Report on the Demand for Grants for the Department of Higher Education, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports also recommended a new legislation to implement Article 15(5) as well. The Indian National Congress reiterates this demand," Ramesh said.
The Constitution (Ninety-third Amendment) Act, 2005 took effect from January 20, 2006 and this amendment introduced Article 15(5) in the Constitution.
"Nothing in this article or sub-clause (g) of clause (1) of Article 19 shall prevent any special provision, by law, for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes insofar as such special provisions relate to their admission to educational institutions, including private educational institutions, whether aided or unaided by the State, other than the minority educational institutions referred to in clause (1) of Article 30," it reads.
Explaining the chronology of legislation to implement Article 15 (5), Ramesh said the Central Educational Institutions (Reservations in Admission) Act, 2006 was passed in Parliament and reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and socially and educationally backward classes of citizens in central educational institutions introduced with effect from January 3, 2007.
Citing the case of Ashoka Kumar Thakur versus Union of India on April 10, 2008, he said by a 2-0 margin Article 15(5) is held Constitutionally valid only for state-run and state-aided institutions and reservations in private unaided institutions left open to be decided in the appropriate course.
In the IMA versus Union of India May 12, 2011, he said, by 2-0 margin, Article 15 (5) is upheld for private unaided non-minority educational institutions.
Citing another case, Ramesh said, "Pramati Educational and Cultural Trust versus Union of India Jan 29, 2014. By 5-0 margin Article 15(5) is, for the first time, upheld as it is explicitly.
"This means reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and socially and educationally backward classes of citizens in private educational institutions is also constitutionally permissible," he added.
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Severe blood shortage in Dakshina Kannada district blood banks
For the first time, blood collection at Wenlock Hospital drops to double digits
Mangaluru: Hospitals in Dakshina Kannada district are facing a severe shortage of blood in their blood banks, creating a challenging situation for both patients and healthcare providers.
Over the past 15 days, the shortage has worsened, making it difficult for patients in need of regular dialysis or those suffering from heavy blood loss due to accidents to get timely treatment. Relatives of patients have reportedly been struggling to arrange for blood.
The summer holidays in schools and colleges, coupled with ongoing exams, have led to a sharp decline in voluntary blood donations, particularly from students. As a result, blood donation camps are currently not being organized, further aggravating the crisis.
In response, blood banks across the district have begun awareness campaigns to address the shortfall. Wenlock District Hospital, which usually maintains higher reserves than other facilities, is also experiencing a drop in blood collection for the first time.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, while donation drives were reduced, Wenlock Hospital managed to avoid a crisis. However, officials now confirm that this is the first time such a severe shortage has hit the facility.
There are 13 blood banks in the district, and all are currently facing shortages. Some banks follow a return policy, where recipients must replenish the blood they receive. At the Red Cross blood bank, blood is available upon payment of a fixed fee, and even there, the shortage is now apparent.
Wenlock Hospital, which typically collects around 300 units of blood, has seen its reserves fall drastically to just 90 units, the first time it has dropped to double digits.
Noticing the crisis, blood donor Siddique from Manjeshwar and his team stepped in to support the cause. On Sunday, they provided 20 units of blood to Wenlock Hospital’s blood bank, confirmed Dr. Sharath Kumar, the hospital’s blood bank officer.
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