Tuesday, March 7 2006 14:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Some of the matters referred to by the DMK President M Karunanidhi on reservation to dalits and OBCs 'are already in the early stages of examination', the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, has said in a letter to the DMK leader.

In reply to Karunanidhi's February eight letter on the issue, the Prime Minister said he had 'carefully gone' through the suggestions.

"I deeply appreciate the intent and objective behind your recommendations. Some of these matters are already in the early stages of examination," he said.

"However, these are issues on which final decisions can be made only on the basis of consensus. I would like to assure you that your views will be carefully kept in mind while these issues are discussed", he said in the letter.

On February eight, in a letter to the Prime Minister, Karunanidhi had requested that steps be taken to extend reservation to dalits and OBCs and had suggested that the centre introduce a bill in the Lok Sabha.