I'm not silent, quota is final: PM

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh finally broke his silence on the reservation issue and made clear that the decision to implement 27 per cent quota for Other Backward Classes in institutes of higher learning was final.

Asked as to why he had remained conspicuously silent on the issue so far, Prime Minister said it was not correct to say he had been "silent or not visible" on the issue.

He said he was ready to meet any representative of the agitating students, if they so desired.

"I have earlier appealed twice. I once again appeal to call-off their agitation and we will find a viable and credible way to protect the interest of all," he said.

Singh also appealed to the students to call off their agitation and assured that the Government would adequately take care of the interests of all sections of the society.

"I am pained to see the agonising experience the youth of the country are undergoing. They should call off their strike and I assure that the Government will find a viable and credible way to protect the interest of all sections of the society," Singh said adding, "I think the matter is already settled."

Outlining the future course of action, Singh assured that the Government would set up committees of vice-chancellors of Central universities and directors of Indian Institutes of Management and Indian Institutes of Technology.

This will be done to facilitate the increase in infrastructure in all these institutions in a manner that the interest of all groups of students is protected.

Observing that Parliament had passed the Constitution Amendment Bill and UPA-Left coordination committee has chalked-out a roadmap on the quota issue, Singh, addressing a press conference after the roundtable in Srinagar, that it was time for the process to gather momentum.

"We have lot of time to discuss any problem," he said.

The Prime Minister said the reservations issue had been settled with the formation of coordination committee.

"The committee has met the persons concerned and written down a detailed roadmap which was now a public document," he said, adding, "We have time to look into the problems and concerns of the agitating section of the society as the reservations would be implemented in June next year".