BJD Legislator Opposes Slashing of SEBC Quota

BHUBANESWAR: BJD legislator Ranendra Pratap Swain on Monday demanded a ruling from Speaker Niranjan Pujari on State Government’s decision to slash reservation in jobs for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) category from 27 per cent to 11.23 per cent.

Raising the issue during zero hour, the BJD legislator said Odisha Reservation of Posts and Services Act, 2008 was passed in the Assembly to ensure 27 per cent reservation for SEBCs in jobs. But the facility has been withdrawn by the State Government after a judgment from Odisha Administrative Tribunal.

Swain demanded that the Speaker should direct the Government to make its stand clear on the issue.

He rushed to the well of the House demanding a ruling from the Speaker when the latter switched over to other business. Swain returned to his seat after the Speaker assured that he will examine the matter.

 The ST and SC Development department had notified on June 24 that reservation for SEBC category in jobs would be slashed from 27 per cent to 11.25 per cent as an interim measure till adjudication in the matter in the High Court was over.

 The Government had enacted a legislation in 2008 fixing the quota for SEBCs in Government jobs at 27 per cent. The Act came into force in 2009. However, it was challenged in the Odisha Administrative Tribunal.

The Tribunal, in its order on December 12, 2013, had quashed the Act and directed the Government to modify the advertisement for recruitment to ensure that reservations did not exceed ceiling limit of 50 per cent in respect of ST, SC and SEBC categories of candidates.

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