New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Home Minister P. Chidambaram Thursday said the poll panel order halting 4.5 percent sub-quota for minorities in the five poll-bound states was “not a setback” for the government and clarified that the notification was made before the model code came into force.

Addressing GOM media briefing here, the minister said the notification to give 4.5 percent reservation to minorities within Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota will operate in appointments made this year.

“No, I may not agree with a decision but it is not a setback. Notification was made well before the code of conduct came into force. There is nothing wrong with notification,” Chidambaram said.

Chidambaram did not comment on Law Minister Salman Khurshid’s announcement of Congress party’s intent to give nine percent reservation to backward Muslims within OBC quota if the party came to power in Uttar Pradesh.

He said the government notification to give 4.5 percent reservation to minorities within OBC quota had been put on hold till the period of elections and the election process will conclude March 6.

According to decision taken by the government, the notification had come into force from Jan 1 this year.

“Even if appointments are made, the process will not be complete by 6th of March. By the time admissions are made or appointments are made, 6th of March will be behind us and therefore the notification will operate in admissions made and appointments made in 2012,” Chidambaram said.

Answering queries, Chidambaram said it will be wrong to say that the decision was taken on the eve of elections as the government did not know “when the date (of elections) is coming.”

“The (election) programme was announced two days after the decision was taken,” he said.