Punjab MP bats for orphans in RS

New Delhi, Even though he eventually withdrew his Private Member’s Bill seeking reservation for orphans in government establishments on the behest of the government, Punjab MP Avinash Rai Khanna managed to draw attention to the hitherto neglected issue when he highlighted the plight of this section of children in society in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.The government ruled out any quota for orphans in government jobs as sought by Khanna, saying that addition of any more clauses in reservation could not be entertained because of complexities. However, the bill managed to highlight the ordeals faced by these children.Asking for a survey to establish their exact number in the country, the Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab drew a poignant comparison between children who stay with parents and those who are not as fortunate.Khanna, who on Friday moved the Orphans (Reservation of Posts in Government Establishment) Bill, 2012, seeking reservation for them in educational institutions and state and central government, said there was no data to show how many orphans were actually there in the country. Urging for consideration of his demands, he asked for a nationwide survey to establish the exact number of orphans in the country. Though Khanna was urged to withdraw his bill, he won appreciation from Union Minister Jitender Singh for efforts in the direction. The bill asked for reservation of posts in government establishments for orphans and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.

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