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Mayawati scraps controversial sports reservation order

Sports Secretary Harish Chandra earned the chief minister's ire with the latter claiming he did not consult her in the matter.

Mayawati said she has directed the state chief secretary to investigate the matter. "He (Chandra) stands suspended from today," she said.

Earlier, a terse press release announcing the government order late on Wednesday night said 21 per cent seats in sports colleges and hostels would be reserved for scheduled caste students, two per cent for scheduled tribes and 27 per cent to students of other backward castes.

In the event of non-availability of Scheduled Tribes students to avail of their quota, these seats were to be filled by students of Scheduled Castes and if their number was also found lacking then students belonging to the Other Backward Castes would be considered.

The reservation policy came under attack from sportspersons and sports administrators with some even planning a Public Interest Litigation to protest against the decision.

According to Rohit Chaturvedi, former chairman of the UP Ranji Trophy cricket selection committee, every sportsman plays for his country, not for a certain caste or religion.

More reports on Uttar Pradesh

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