Orissa HC Asks Govt To Consider Reservation For SCs & STs In Contractual Jobs

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has directed the state government to consider appointment of SC and ST candidates in contractual jobs.

The court issued the direction after hearing the petitions seeking the court’s intervention against alleged denial of reservation for appointments of Ayush doctors by the government under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram.

The single-judge bench of Justice BR Sarangi told the government to take a fresh look at the Orissa Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Act, 1975 on the ground that when the Act was implemented, the concept of contractual appointment was not in vogue.

“Now contractual employment is the rule of the day. As a consequence, the entry into service through permanent employment no longer exists. Therefore, the scenario now prevailing in the employment market was unforeseen during the year 1975 and due to the massive growth of contractual employment, time has come for the state to relook at the ORV Act,” the TOI quoted Justice Sarangi as observing.

The court stated that the government should take a decision whether any amendment of the Act is required for the purpose. It also expressed concern that there had been no regular appointment to the posts of Ayush doctors for a long time.

“If there will be no representation from different categories, the unemployment crisis will go up and it will put the government in a disturbing position,” Justice Sarangi said and left it to the government to take a decision.