The Government has said that it will find an appropriate solution to the problem of the language issue in the UPSC examination at the earliest. The Minister for Home Affairs Rajnath Singh, replying to the debate in the Rajya Sabha today said, the government has taken serious note of the agitation by the students.
It has received the report by the UPSC Committee on this and is studying a way out as it is a sensitive issue. But the opposition including Congress, SP and the Left Parties were not satisfied with the reply by the Home Minister and staged a walkout. The House then took up special mentions by the members.
Earlier, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the third time today on the issue of the Civil Services Aptitude Test, CSAT, of the UPSC, for 15 minutes. Opposition members demanded the government’s response to students who are appearing for the UPSC Examination. The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Prakash Javadekar said, as soon as the government takes a decision on the issue, the House will be informed. He said, a suo motu statement from the government would be possible only after a decision is taken on this.
As the members demanded an immediate response citing the plight of students, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh reminded that the government on the 18th of this month, made a statement, and on 25th, a clarification was given on the subject. He also said, as the government received the Committee's report only today, it would take some time to go through before coming out with a statement. At this, the members of the opposition demanded that a time limit should be announced as there is unrest among students on this issue. Earlier in the day, the House was adjourned twice on the same issue.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament House, Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav demanded scrapping of the Civil Services Aptitude Test. He said, his party is opposed to the new pattern of examination which is discriminatory against Hindi medium students. Mr Yadav said, the government should revert back to the previous pattern.
BSP chief Mayawati said, the government should take care of the interests of students while taking a decision on the Arvind Verma committee report tasked with examining the grievances of students. The Janata Dal (United) President Sharad Yadav wondered as to why the government is indecisive on the issue when it had assured Parliament that a decison would be taken within a week.Meanwhile, Minister of Personnel Jitendra Singh told reporters that a final decision will be taken after examining the Arvind Verma committee's recommendations. The panel submitted its report to the government yesterday.
