Discrimination towards backward classes and SC-STs; 10% additional reservation in Devaswom Board appointments being sabotaged

KOCHI: The additional ten percent reservation given to backward classes, scheduled castes and tribals in Devaswom Board appointments is being sabotaged. The Devaswom Recruitment Board and the Revenue (Devaswom) Department are behind this. The government decision taken a year and a half ago has not been implemented yet. It is being delayed and sabotaged by the top brass. It is said that it will be implemented only subject to the approval of the Revenue Department, even in the recruitment notification issued on September 1. Many candidates are losing reservation benefits due to this.

The amendment is to distribute Muslim and Christian reservation to backward and scheduled communities and to give economic reservations for the general category. Meanwhile, the board is very diligent on the issue of economic reservation. Economic reservation for forward communities was first implemented in India in the Devaswom Boards of the state. When this was later implemented in government service, the rules and procedures of various departments were amended in a single order and proved to be effective. Still, the file for additional reservations for backward classes is being delayed.

The Revenue (Devaswom) Department had written to the Recruitment Board on June 22, 2024, to amend the rules for appointment according to the PSC's reservation rotation. However, the draft amendment proposal sent back by the board is still on the Revenue Department's table for approval.

Bias in the notification

The recruitment board clearly explains the economic reservation criteria in the notifications. However, it is silent on the criteria for the OBC and SC-ST categories. It is suggested to check the general conditions on the website.

Reservation system

Current....................... Revised

General: 50 ........................... 40

EWS: 10 ........................... 10

OBC, SC & ST: 40............................ 50

Punitive action should be taken against those who delay the approval of the amendment to the rules and prevent the reservation benefits of the backward classes

V.R. Joshi,

Former Director,

State Backward Classes Development Department

It is hoped that the amendment proposals will get approval soon. Interventions are being made for this

Adv. K.B. Mohandas,

Chairman, Devaswom Recruitment Board