Taking a new turn in its longtime demand, the Arvind Kejriwal government on Thursday passed a resolution in the Delhi Assembly that 85 per cent seats be reserved for students from city schools to colleges under the Delhi University which are funded by the state government. Out of 28 DU colleges, 12 colleges are fully funded by the Delhi government while 16 are partially funded.

“There are over 2 lakh students who pass out from schools in Delhi every year. Many of these students are struggling to get admission in higher education institutions. The money of taxpayers from Delhi is being used to fund these colleges. And it is our responsibility to safeguard the interest of Delhi students,” Financial Express quoted Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who moved the resolution in the Assembly.

The Assembly also passed another resolution which urges the Central Government to amend the Delhi University Act, 1922, according to which no other university in Delhi is legally authorised to give affiliation to any other college- reported Scroll.

Meanwhile, the Delhi University officials called the move ‘dangerous’ and ‘impossible’. “DU, being a central university, has a universal and national character. The Delhi government should just analyse and see what will happen if Lucknow University and Banaras Hindu University also start giving reservations to people from the state. Just because a government gives funds doesn’t mean they can take any decision,” Indian Express quoted university officials.