Govt may end Kendriya Vidyalayas quotas for MPs

The human resources development ministry is understood to be considering ending MPs’ and VIP quotas for admissions to the Kendriya Vidyalayas. Officials were asked at a recent meeting to prepare a detailed proposal for streamlining the admissions process for the schools that are located across the country.

Sources said the move to end MPs’ and VIP quotas for admissions to Kendriya Vidyalayas is likely to draw fire from the elected representatives, and the HRD ministry may review the quotas in a phased manner.

A decision to end the MPs’ and VIP quota for admissions to Kendriya Vidyalayas may only be taken once a detailed report is presented to the ministry, sources said. The HRD ministry, by formulating a policy on the issue, is trying to streamline the entire process and ensure timely resolution of any admissions-related issues faced by students. The ministry is under considerable pressure each year to push through admissions recommended by MPs and other VIPs in the Kendriya Vidyalayas.

Former HRD minister Smriti Irani is learnt to have sent over 5,100 such recommendations for admissions under these quotas. In the UPA-2 government, then HRD minister Kapil Sibal had also tried to end the MPs’ and VIP quotas for Kendriya Vidyalaya admissions, but he had to back off as the government came under intense pressure from elected representatives. At present, every member of Parliament can make 10 recommendaions each year — a number that was raised by the BJP government in October 2015 from the earlier quota of six seats.

The sources said several MPs also don’t stick to their quota limit of 10 recommendations, and continue to send requests even after having exhausted their limit. It is learnt when such requests are forwarded by other ministers or even by the HRD minister, the official machinery is put under huge pressure to accommodate them.