Both pro, anti groups unhappy with Centre’s directive

LUCKNOW : The central government’s directive on Friday, asking its ministries, departments as well as the state governments to take ‘necessary action’ to implement reservation in promotions ‘based on existing seniority’ has evoked strong reactions among both those in favour and against quota in promotions. Both groups appeared dissatisfied with the Centre’s move at a time when the issue has assumed significance ahead of the 2019 LS election.

“All ministries/departments are requested to bring this to the notice of all concerned for information/compliance. The state governments are also advised to take necessary action in accordance with the above mentioned orders passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” said an office memorandum issued on June 15, 2018 by the department of personnel and training (DoPT), union ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions.

Arakshan Bachao Samiti convenor Awadhesh Verma said, “We strongly oppose the DoPT’s order. We will take out a march from Ambedkar Memorial on June 17. The Centre should issue a separate order for UP to implement reservation in promotion. We cannot except the provision for promotion based on the existing seniority lists. We want the government to promote all those

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We cannot except the provision for promotion based on the existing seniority lists. AWADHESH VERMA, Arakshan Bachao Samiti convenor

who had been demoted in UP. About two lakh employees working on 25,000 posts had been demoted with effect from November 15, 1997. The government should promote all the demoted employees to begin the process. We will work out our future course on Sunday.”

Sarvjan Hitay Sanrakshan Samiti that opposes reservation in promotion will hold a ‘Chetavni Daud’ (warning race) at 6am on here Sunday. Samiti chairman Shailendra Dubey said the DoPT, in its order, had misinterpreted the Supreme Court order.

“We understand the SC’s order with regard to M Nagraj and others vs Union of India and others has to be applied till it is reconsidered by the Constitution bench of the Apex Court. We will oppose the implementation of the DoPT order and work out our future programme soon,” said Dubey.

Under attack by the opposition for ‘failing to check dilution of SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the BJP had termed the apex court’s interim order on reservation in promotion as an attempt by the Modi government to empower the downtrodden classes. The Supreme Court by its order dated November 15, 2017 had decided to refer to a Constitution bench to examine whether its earlier decision in M Nagraj and others vs Union of India and other required reconsideration or not.

The SC, in its order dated May 17, 2018, had observed: “It is directed that the pendency of the Special Leave Petition shall not stand in the way of the Union of India taking steps for the purpose of promotion from ‘reserved to reserved’ and ‘unreserved to unreserved’ and also in promotion on merits…” Later, on June 5, 2018 the SC had further ordered “It is made clear that the union of India is not debarred from making promotions in accordance with law, subject to further order…”

Quoting the SC order, the department of personnel and training, in its office memorandum, issued on Friday said: “The cadre controlling authorities of central government ministries, departments and union territories will carry out promotions in accordance with the directions of Hon’ble Supreme Court mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 3 above based on existing seniority/select lists…. Every promotion order must clearly mention the stipulation that the promotion shall be subject to further orders which may be passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.”