The government on Thursday refused to see the Election Commission order on minority quota as a “setback’’ with home minister P. Chidambaram stating that the policy was to be rolled out only in 2012.
Mr Chidambaram explained that the notification will remain operative for appointments and admissions to be made this year as he rejected the contention that the EC ordering a hold on the 4.5 per cent sub-quota for minorities in 5 poll-bound states was a “setback”. He also said there was “nothing wrong” with the notification as it was made well before the model code of conduct came into force. Asked why the decision was taken on the eve of elections, he asked how does he know when the announcement for elections is coming. The election schedule was announced two days after the decision was taken, he said addressing a press conference.
The home minister also declined to comment on law minister Salman Khurshid’s announcement of Congress party’s intent to give 9 per cent reservation to minorities in UP if the party comes to power.

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Goa priest may be defrocked
Age Correspondent
Panaji, Jan. 12

For the first time in the history of Goa, a Catholic priest has decided to contest the Assembly elections and the Church is not too pleased about it.
Father Bismarque Dias, 47, who has filed his nomination papers as an Independent candidate from the Cumbarjua constituency in South Goa for the Assembly elections slated for March 3, might be handed his marching orders soon, said the major superior of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament.
Father Dias had apparently been transferred from Goa to Mazgaon in Mumbai in June 2011 but he had gone against his superiors stating that he had a lot of unfinished social work in Goa. Now with him contesting election, he will most probably be asked to leave the congregation.
His superiors are also upset that instead of living the community life of a priest, Father Dias has been living with his mother in Goa. “He is neither in the congregation, nor in the archdiocese. He cannot be called a Catholic priest,” a newspaper had quoted the major superior from Mumbai.
“My life has always been for serving. Now I will serve all the people, not just Catholics,” Father Dias said, adding that he was not worried about being defrocked.