Indian state to introduce higher education quota

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday announced that her government will introduce reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) in institutions of higher education in West Bengal. "We have come up with a 'West Bengal Higher Education Reservation in Admission Bill' which is a revolutionary decision related to higher education," she said. "We have decided to introduce reservation for SC (22 percent), ST (six percent) and OBC (17 percent, including minorities) students in higher educational institutions for the first time in the state," Banerjee said here after the cabinet gave its nod to the proposed bil. The legislation is aimed at ensuring a better future for students of the reserved category. "We have already provided reservations for OBCs in jobs. In order to complement jobs with higher education, this step will go a long way in uplifting the lives of SCs, STs and OBCs in the state," said Banerjee. "This reservation will not affect the existing seat availability for general category students. For this reservation, extra/additional seats and infrastructure will be created to provide higher education facilities for SC, ST and OBC students, over a period of six years," said Banerjee.  From: India News Track