Devil's Advocate: Veerappa Moily

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The interim report of the Veerappa Moily Oversight Committee looking into reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in higher education was recently presented to the Government and, not surprisingly, its recommendations have created quite a stir. Karan Thapar talks to the Chairman of the committee, Veerappa Moily.

Karan Thapar: Mr Moily, let us start with the issue that is most in the news. Now that you have received the interim reports of all the five different sub-groups, do you believe it is possible to increase the intake by 54 per cent at one go next year? Or do you believe it needs to be staggered over a given period of time?

Veerappa Moily: These are the problems that are being posed by all the sub-groups. With the kind of mindset they are in, it is not possible to implement it at one go.

Karan Thapar: So what is your opinion as the Chairman of the Oversight Committee?

Veerappa Moily: I wanted to know the specific problems from them. They have sorted out most of the problems. I said as far as funding is concerned, it would be met. Also infrastructure, faculty and other requirements would be duly fulfilled. I have said time and again that we will go in for innovative methods.

Karan Thapar: You have just said that every one of the five sub-groups have asked for a period of time. Not one of them is in favour of implementing the increase and intake at one go. So when you ask the sub-groups that you want to know their problems, are you trying to persuade them into doing it in one go, or are you asking their problems so that it helps you agree with what they want? What is it?

Veerappa Moily: There is no question of ‘bulldozing’ the implementation of 54 per cent. We are clear about it. But at the same time, there are certain concerns and problems that need to be addressed. We have been more proactive on that. We said these are all the innovative methods. We have listed all the innovative methods, infrastructure needs, unprecedented flow of funds to be made available. With that, I would like them to examine, give the detailed project report. Thereafter, I would examine institution-wise and decide whether they can implement the reservation in one go or not.

Karan Thapar: So, what you are doing is that you saying to them “I will make the funds and the resources available. Think about your positions once again.” But if they come back in their final report and stick to what they have said in their interim report and you then discover that all five sub-groups still want a given period of time and none is in favour of implementing it immediately, then will you accept that phasing is inevitable?