New Delhi: Union human resource development ministry is understood to be considering ending MPs’ and VIP quota for admissions to Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs). At a recent meeting, officials of the ministry have been asked to prepare a detailed proposal for the streamlining of admission process to the schools.
Sources stated that as the move to end the MPs and VIP quota for admissions to Kendriya Vidyalayas is likely to draw fire from elected representatives, the HRD ministry might review the quota in a phased manner.
This decision may only be taken once a detailed report is presented before the ministry, sources stated. By formulating a policy on the issue, the ministry wants to streamline the process and ensure timely resolution of any admission related issues being faced by the students, sources added.
It is learnt that the HRD ministry is under considerable pressure each year for pushing through the admissions recommended by MPs’ and VIP quota for admissions to Kendriya Vidyalayas.
The then HRD minister Smriti Irani is understood to have forwarded 5,100 recommendations for admissions under this quota. During the UPA-II regime the then HRD minister, Kapil Sibal, had also tried to end the MPs’ and VIP quota for admissions to Kendriya Vidyalayas. However, he had to back off as the government came under intense pressure.
Currently, a member of Parliament has a quota of making 10 recommendations each year. This was after the BJP government increased it from an earlier quota of six students in October 2015.
Sources said several of the MPs do not stick to their quota limit of 10 recommendations. It is said that when such requests are forwarded by ministers or the HRD minister himself, there is an intense pressure on the machinery to accommodate them.
