Strongly opposing a major change being proposed by the Centre in the allocation of services to successful candidates in the civil services examinations, MDMK founder Vaiko on Monday said it was against social justice. He alleged that Hindutva forces were trying to push their agenda through such changes (allocation of cadre based on the UPSC scores and the foundation course).
“This is an attempt to prevent youth from rural areas and those from the scheduled communities (SC/ST), who were successful in the exams in their mother tongue, from entering the Indian civil services. Such attempts against social justice cannot be tolerated under any circumstances,” Mr. Vaiko said in a statement.
‘Executive interference’
If the proposed change was introduced in the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, the BJP government could appoint its choice of candidates to specific services, Mr. Vaiko claimed. Hindutva forces were attempting to add religious colour to the administration, he alleged.
Such attempts by the Modi government were against the spirit of federalism and all States should strongly oppose the proposed change, Mr. Vaiko added.
The Makkal Needhi Maiam also condemned the proposed change, calling it an executive interference in the functioning of a constitutional. In a statement, the party said: “It [the change] will lead to nepotism and favouritism during the foundation course training, which will affect the merit-based list of the UPSC. It will adversely affect candidates from rural and humble background. This will also bring in regional bias including bias within the reserved category candidates,” the party said.
“The foundation course is a 100-day programme aimed at instilling a feeling of esprit de corps amongst the candidates who have been selected after a gruelling selection process. This proposed process will vitiate the camaraderie among candidates during the course,” it added.
TMC president G.K. Vasan said the Centre should reconsider the proposal to alter the method of allocating service and cadre to candidates who qualify in the civil services examination of the UPSC. He said the proposal risked allowing political interference in the allocation of cadre and service.
