There is always a pernicious undertone to any manifestation of a “sons of the soil” practice, particularly in a national capital like New Delhi which has, as it should, attracted people from the entire country ~ even if it has yet to become a cultural melting-pot.

Still, it is easy to understand the sentiment that caused the state legislature to adopt, unopposed, a resolution calling for the reservation of seats for local students in the 28 colleges of Delhi University that are partially funded (12 of them entirely) by the Delhi Government.

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As a “central university”, what is known as DU is open to students from anywhere: a feature that has given it much strength and contributed substantially to its high reputation. And yet, the precise figures vary, less than 50 per cent of the 200,000-plus students who annually pass their Class XII examinations from local schools secure admission in DU-affiliated colleges.

Since a quota-system is in place elsewhere, students from Delhi find it difficult to get admission “outside”. And so, to resort to populist jargon, “something had to give” ~ in this case the resolution adopted by the Assembly.

Given the complex administrative structure in the Capital, the Central government would have to take a call, but it would be unfair to Delhi’s youth if that call was taken in the context of the Aam Aadmi Party’s consistently entering into controversy with the Central government/Lieutenant-Governor.

Since there are many more than those 28 colleges affiliated to DU, it is not as though the demand is to reserve half the seats for local students ~ in fact most of the more prestigious colleges are not funded by the Delhi Government.

However, the demand for reserving 85 per cent in the 28 colleges does seem “high” ~ a comprehensive study on local/outstation admissions might point to a more appropriate formula. The call for admission tests is cumbersome, but not entirely devoid of merit.

Local students take examinations conducted by the CBSE, a few schools opt for the ICSE system, both are less liberal in their marking than other examination boards ~ and again it is Disadvantage Delhi. The statutes governing DU were enacted long ago, and there is need for revising them in accordance with contemporary realities.

The call for creating another university, empowered to affiliate colleges is also worth examining. There is an increasing feeling in the city that its people are at the “receiving end” ~ decisions impacting their welfare are taken by politicians who pamper their own constituencies.

Every local government, regardless of its political hue, laments “step-motherly treatment” by the Centre. The need for an overhaul of the administrative structure is overdue ~ facilitating local students to secure college admissions in their home town would be a commendable first step.