Ecosoc KMC

This blog belongs to the Economics department of Kirori Mal College, Delhi University. Members include all students of the department....its an informal blog.

Saturday, April 08, 2006

More on reservations...

while at this, i postulate that increased reservations would certainly improve the potential rewards of general category students who do make it to institutes like IITs, IIMs etc. ofcourse, the ceteris paribus assumption applies here. specifically i had in mind that fact that the non-creamy layer students entering via the reservation quota at very low entrance cut-offs/percentage are unable to successfully compete in the institutions. according to former iit thadakpur director, it takes around 7-8 years to complete the normal 4 yr course even after relaxed procedures are adopted. ofcourse, this would also apply to general category students who get a 'back-door entry'.

also, while official reservations will be at 49.5%, we must remember that there are other quotas - sports, teachers and karmachari quota, foreign quota, handicapped/disabled quota, and others. while conversing with a friend of mine, we came to the conclusion that effective non reserved seats would be, realistically, at around 40% (ie. over 60% reservation).

clearly, our education system's is moving in an adverse direction, the effects of which (as those acquainted with economic growth/development theories would know) will be felt for decades to come.

i would like to add here that i strongly believe that measures must be taken to ensure a more equitable socio-economic system, but skewing the existing system by creation of further distortions and introducing potentially lower returns is certainly not the correct path to egalitarianism.

Thursday, April 06, 2006

The rape of a silent electorate

hi guys...im not sure about the specifics...but do read the article (by clicking on the title of this post or http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1668027,0035.htm) and tell me if the title i've coined is appropriate.

49.5% percent reservations...are these guys kidding us ?? all second years, better crack CAT at one go..cause u'll face it from 2007-8. the rest, such as poor third yrs like us who wanna try out DSE/JNU, its going to be very very interesting. And these are centreal universities mind it. I wonder what the State Govts. will do since the quota limits are unspeicified in their case. I'd except a variable result. btw...first yrs...u guys are gonna face them in any nameworthy institution u apply to IIM, DSE, JNU.

this, my dear friends, is the result of a mute electorate. i refer to the middle and uppper classes here. not classses in the Marxist sense, but income brackets and the 'normal' castes. a slow, silent rape. and we dont cry out. perfect timing too, when most universities are having their exams..

ps - im willing to pay for an OBC certificate. any takers ?