PUDUCHERRY: The Supreme Court has set aside two orders passed by the Puducherry government extending benefits of reservation in promotion, employment and professional courses only to Scheduled Castes (origins) of the Union Territory, on the grounds that it was not in conformity and consonance with the Presidential Order, 1964, and cannot be sustained in law.
The order was delivered by a three-member bench including Chief Justice R M Lodha and justices Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph on August 7. The two government orders passed in November 2005 and December 2005 are with regard to extension of reservation benefits in promotion and employment to Group C and D posts and in professional courses, to SC families living in Puducherry prior to 1964 and their descendants.
Those living in Puducherry after 1964, and their descendants are denied the benefits of reservation. The Puducherry Scheduled Caste People Welfare Association moved had the apex court against the government represented by Chief Secretary, after two writ petitions against the government order were dismissed by the Madras HC by a common order in 2008.