The Central Committee of the party, which is in session in Hyderabad, passed a resolution on the issue on the second day of its meeting, demanding that there should be a commensurate increase in the number of seats in the general category in the educational institutions.

It also demanded that the creamy layer rule should be imposed for the beneficiaries and the economically backward people from sections other than Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs should be given some provision to access higher education.

Briefing newsmen about the day's proceedings, CPI-M Politburo member Sitaram Yechuri said that the party reiterated its support to OBC reservations in educational institutions. He said that United Progressive Alliance government should expand educational facilities for the general category students so that the seats for them are not reduced.

The party also supported the creamy layer concept so that the benefits of reservations should reach those who required and deserved it the most.

"That could mean that the economically better off within the OBCs should be given the last preference in terms of getting the benefits of reservation. Therefore the concept of creamy layer which the Supreme Court has suggested should be upheld and maintained," he observed.

CPI-M also came out in support of making some provisions for the economically backward who do not belong to SCs, STs and OBCs, so that they can also access higher education.

Yechuri said that the Central government could use the Rs 7,800 crore collected through educational cess for increasing the facilities in the higher educational institutions to increase the number of seats in the general category. "The money is meant for primary education but this year they can use it for higher education," he pointed out.

CPI-M also demanded that there should be some degree of social control over private higher educational institutions and professional colleges. It urged the UPA government to bring a central legislation to empower the state governments to regulate these institutions.

"Apart from reservations, which is now a constitutionally mandated responsibility, the other aspects of social control should include the question of the salary structures of the teachers, the issue of curriculum that will be taught in these institutions and the fee they will charge for the students," Yechuri pointed out.

CPI-M support for Palestine:

In another resolution on foreign affairs, CPI-M demanded that the UPA government condemn Israel, United States and European Union for their decision to cut off financial assistance to Palestinian Authority after Hamas came to power there. The party also decided to send a delegation of Members of Parliament of the Left parties to Palestinian territories to express solidarity with "the justified and legitimate struggle for their homeland."

On the sufferings of Palestinians, CPI-M central committee resolution said that Israel has stopped giving 50 million dollars collected per month through tax and custom revenue that belongs to Palestinian Authority. "This immoral effort to stave Palestinian people into submission is against all international and humanitarian norms," it said.

Pointing out that, in response to the criticism by Left parties, the UPA government announced a token contribution for Palestine, Yechuri said that the Left wanted the government to increase its donations. "If need be, we will also collect voluntary donations," he added.

"The Central Committee wants the Manmohan Singh [Images] government to take a categorical position that the wishes of the Palestinian people have to be respected and all financial allocations should be restored to the Palestinian Authority," the resolution said.