PUDUCHERRY: A delegation of People Welfare Front (PWF), a five-party alliance consisting of MDMK, CPI, CPI (M), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), met the vice chancellor of Pondicherry Central university, Aneesha Basheer Khan demanding 25 per cent reservation for students of Puducherry origin for all courses offered by the university including doctoral courses.
The memorandum says that 83 per cent of the population of Puducherry belongs to backward community and Pondicherry university is the only opportunity to pursue higher education at reasonable cost.
It points out that the university is providing reservation for Puducherry origin people for only 20 courses, whereas 120 courses are being offered by the university.
The memorandum mentions that though Pondicherry University Act 1985 asks the university academic council to make special provisions for the weaker sections of the people, it was not being fulfilled due to in the vertical reservation policy that the university was following now. The memorandum asks the university to ensure 27 per cent horizontal reservation for local students.
“The vice chancellor promised to present the issue before the academic council soon. We will continue to raise this demand and hope that from next academic year at least the reservation policy will be implemented, “ said R. Viswanathan, convenor of PWF.
Reservation for Pondicherry origin students is a long-term demand raised by various student organisations and political parties. The newly elected student council supported the same demand and raised the issue before the vice chancellor earlier.
“In Puducherry, there is no state university and this central university is the only means for students here to pursue higher education. So giving 25 per cent reservation for the local students is the way to uplift the weaker sections of the state and is responsibility of the university,” said E.N. Jishnu, secretary of Pondicherry University student council.
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