The Bihar government has decided to grant reservation in promotions to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes personnel. The decision was taken in compliance with the order passed by the Supreme Court on May 17 and June 5 on a special writ petition. A notification stated that such promotions would, however, be granted only in accordance with the further orders of the apex court.
The Bihar government notification said the decision was taken on the recommendation of the seven-member committee of higher officials of the State government. The committee was constituted on June 27 following an advice received from the Union Personnel and Training Department. The State government has also given detailed guidelines.
Meanwhile, political observers told The Hindu that the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government had taken this decision with an eye on scheduled caste and scheduled tribe votes in the coming Lok Sabha election. However, leaders of the ruling JD(U) said, “It has nothing to do with the upcoming elections…it was long due and has been in accordance with the recent Supreme Court order that until a final decision comes in the case the ban on granting reservation in promotion to SC/ST stands vacated.”
The RJD leaders too welcomed the government’s decision. “Our party has always been in favour of granting reservation in promotion to SC/ST personnel in services,” said Ejya Yadav, RJD leader and party MLA from Mohiuddinagar constituency in Samastipur district.
Earlier, Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan had been demanding reservation in promotion for SC/ST and even said that if the court would not grant it, “the central government would bring an ordinance.”
