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Saturday, June 14, 2008

No Muslim quota in new IIITs

Hyderabad, June 13: Economically backward Muslims will not be given four per cent quota in the upcoming IIITs at Basara, Nuzvidu and Idupulapaya. These IIITs, primarily meant for rural students, will admit about 6,300 students, including 300 students from outside the state. The institutes offer an integrated six-year course by the Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies.
The Muslim reservation issue is caught in a legal battle but the Supreme Court and the AP High Court permitted the state to go ahead with the counselling process pending disposal of the case. However, the state government has decided not to implement four per cent quota for economically backward Muslims in the institutes citing technical reasons. Reservations are being given to other BCs, SCs and STs.
Muslim students will lose around 240 seats this academic year. “It has come to my notice and I will take up the issue with the Chief Minister. We could not issue the quota for Muslim students because of election code of conduct,” the minorities welfare minister, Muhammad Ali Shabber, said. Counselling for these institutions will begin on June 21 and classes will commence on August 4.

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