Government on Thursday asserted that it would do everything to provide reservation for OBC students in institutions of higher learning, including IITs and IIMs. "We will do every thing possible to ensure that these institutions begin admission and provide reservation in 2008-09," Finance Minister told reporters when asked to comment on a Calcutta High Court order. The Calcutta High Court had on Wednesday stayed the implementation of a government memorandum realating to 27 per cent quota for OBCs in post-graduate courses in IIMs prompting the Centre to approach the Supreme Court on Thursday seeking vacation of the Calcutta High Court order. Chidambaram said the purpose behind the Centre approaching the apex court was to upturn the Calcutta High Court order so that admission can take place in 2008-09. The Calcutta High Court has stayed quota for OBCs in post-graduate courses in Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, and stopped interview of OBC candidates for the same. The interim order stayed till June nine the operation of the reservation clause of IIM prospectus and also the resolution of office memorandum dated April 20, 2008 passed by the HRD ministry.
