27% OBC quota for Supreme Court employees; Chief Justice's new decision after SC/ST reservation

NEW DELHI: Chief Justice BR Gavai has introduced 27 percent reservation for OBC category in the appointment of Supreme Court employees. It is the first in the 75-year history of the Supreme Court that OBC reservation has been implemented.

The reservation is in non-judicial posts like registrars, senior personal assistant, assistant librarian, junior court assistant, chamber attendant. At least 700 employees will be from the OBC category once the reservation is fully implemented. There are a total of 2577 non-judicial employees in the Supreme Court.

Reservation has also been introduced for the physically challenged, ex-servicemen and dependents of freedom fighters. The quota for appointments and promotions was fixed at 15 percent for the Scheduled Castes and 7.5 percent for the Scheduled Tribes the other day. Chief Justice BR Gavai, who took the historic decisions, belongs to the Scheduled Castes community.

Rule 4A amended

The Supreme Court directly makes appointments to non-judicial posts. Rule 4A of the Supreme Court Officers and Servants (Conditions of Service and Conduct) Rules, 1961 was amended to bring in the reservation. The Supreme Court also made the reservation rules of the central government a benchmark. The power given to the Chief Justice under Article 146(2) of the Constitution was exercised in relation to the service of employees.

Supreme stand taken by Justice Gavai

Several judgments have come from the Supreme Court regarding ensuring reservation for the backward classes. Chief Justice BR Gavai took the stand that it should be implemented in the institution that issues historical judgments as well. He clarified that the principles of the court should be reflected in their application as well.

In 1956, when half a million Dalits embraced Buddhism, inspired by Dr. BR Ambedkar, BR Gavai's father RS ​​Gavai also joined the movement. Since then, the family has remained steadfast in Buddhism and Ambedkar's principles.