Chandigarh:The Punjab and Haryana High Court today stayed the reservation granted by the Haryana government under Economically Backward Persons (EBP) category for admission into educational institutions in the state.

Justice Rajesh Bindal passed the order while hearing a bunch of petitions filed by aspirants seeking admission in medical courses in the state.

“No admissions on the basis of notification/instructions issued for providing reservation to EBP in General Category shall be made for the session in question and onwards.

“Even the candidates who have already been admitted on the basis of reservation for EBP category, will not be entitled to the benefit thereof, as even the process of admission is still in progress and classes have not yet commenced. The universities shall be permitted to carry out fresh counselling, if required,” the court said.

The petitioners had sought quashing of the EBP quota in admissions, challenging the 10 per cent reservation provided by the state in educational institutions to EBP in general category.

They contended that by providing 10 per cent quota under EBP for admission in educational institutions, the total reservation has increased up to 60 per cent and the same was against 50 per cent ceiling stipulated by the Supreme Court in the case of Indira Sawhney versus the Union of India.

The case was adjourned for January 20.

PTI