Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr. Prem Kumar Dhumal has requested the Central Government to continue with the existing quota policy for students from the state at the National Institutes of Technology (NITs).

In a letter written to the Prime Minister, Mr. Manmohan Singh and Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister, Arjun Singh, Dhumal stated that the new system would have an opposite effect on the career of students in Himachal Pradesh.

He appealed to the PM to take any decision keeping in mind the difficult topography and geographical conditions of Himachal Pradesh.

Earlier, admissions were made on State-based merit lists with a specific percentage of quotas kept aside. However, now, admissions to the NITs will be made on the basis of an All-India merit list.

The Congress Party has also demanded the restoration of state quota for engineering students. Senior party members including Mrs. Sonia Gandhi will soon meet the Prime Minister to discuss the matter.