Assembly passes resolution seeking 85% reservation for Delhiites in DU

A resolution seeking 85 per cent reservation in admission for city students in 28 Delhi University colleges that are funded by the Delhi government was passed by the Delhi Assembly on Thursday.

All MLAs present pledged to raise the issue with the Centre, Lieutenant Governor and the University administration.

Another resolution demanding an amendment to the Delhi University Act, 1922, according to which no other university in Delhi is legally authorised to give affiliation to any college, was passed by the Assembly here.

If the amendment is approved by Parliament, varsities other than Delhi University can also be affiliated to any other college. The resolutions were moved by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and passed by voice vote.

During a discussion on the reservation of city students in 28 colleges on the second day of the Assembly's special session, Sisodia said there are over 2 lakh students who pass out from Delhi's schools every year.

"Many of these students struggle to get admission in higher education institutions. These 28 colleges are funded partially or fully by the Delhi government. The money of taxpayers from Delhi is being used to fund these colleges.

"And it is our responsibility to safeguard the interest of Delhi students," Sisodia said.

However, Sisodia – who also holds the education portfolio – clarified that through this demand the Delhi government does not want to promote regionalism. "People from across the country come to Delhi in search of employment and they start residing here. We want to ensure that their children get admission in Delhi University colleges.

"We should not politicise this issue. We all MLAs will meet the HRD Minister, Lieutenant Governor and Delhi University Vice-Chancellor to raise this demand," Sisodia said.

BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa also supported the move, saying it is an important issue and all MLAs should demand reservation for city students, setting aside their political and ideological differences.

AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj suggested that a delegation of all legislators, headed by BJP MLA Jagdish Pradhan, should meet Union HRD Minister Prakash Javedkar and request him to provide reservation.

Another AAP MLA Rajesh Gupta said that every state has a different moderation policy, following which students from other states sometimes get high marks and then get admission in Delhi University colleges.

"Students from other states get admission in Delhi University colleges as it is a central university. Every state has a different moderation policy. In some states, there is a policy of giving grace marks to students and in turn, they get the advantage in admission in DU colleges," Gupta said.