Government seeks views of political parties on CSAT issue

The government Sunday held a meeting with leaders of various political parties and sought their views on the controversy surrounding the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) that had caused disruptions during the last session of parliament.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said that the government had decided to seek the views of political parties in view of the divergence of opinion on the issue.

He said political parties had been urged to give their views on five issues including "continuation of English Language Comprehension Skills in Paper-II, reduced weightage of analytical component, making Paper-II qualifying and reverting back to optional paper".

Political parties have also been urged to suggest any other alternative, he said, telling the leaders that they will be circulated a detailed note in three days and they could furnish their views in two weeks.

The issue had led to disruptions during the last session of parliament with some parties demanding scrapping of CSAT.

The meeting was convened by Naidu in pursuance of the assurance given by the government during the last session.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh, Ministers of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and leaders of 26 parties attended the meeting.