Implement SC order, say Dalit outfits

LUCKNOW: Dalit outfits on Wednesday demanded implementation of the Supreme Court order allowing the Centre to grant reservation in promotion in “accordance with law” for employees belonging to the scheduled castes (SC) and the scheduled tribes (ST).

Dr Ambedkar Rashtriya Ekta Manch national president Bhawan Nath Paswan said if the government failed to give the benefit of quota in promotion, the Manch will launch a statewide demonstration, he said at a press conference.

The employees who were demoted after a previous order of the Supreme Court against reservation in promotion should be moved up to their original posts, he said. A large number of SC-ST employees, who were awaiting promotion, should be granted a higher post, he said.Paswan said a large number of SC-ST employees were demoted immediately after a previous order of the Supreme Court.But the government was silent now that the apex court had given a ruling in favour of SC-ST employees, he said.

A delegation of the manch will hand over a memorandum to the governor, the state government and central government representatives, demanding implementation of the Supreme Court order, he said.

The Arkshan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti also plans to expedite the pro- quota movement across the state. Its convenor Awadhesh Kumar Verma said the samiti will organise a march by SC, ST and backward caste employees. The samiti has also launched a mass awareness campaign to counter rumours spread by groups opposing quota in promotion, he said.