DPAR Investigates Alleged Reservation Rule Violations in Promotions

Quick Summary

• Allegations have surfaced of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) employees being denied promotions in Karnataka government departments.
• Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the issue, prompting the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) to begin collecting data from all departments.
• DPAR has requested information on backlog posts, reservation status in promotions, and SC/ST employee portrayal across cadres. Departments are required to submit seniority lists, promotion commitee proceedings, and relevant Government Orders for review.
• The Karnataka State Government SC/ST Employees Association complained about seniority discrimination despite the consequential Seniority Act enacted in 2017.
• Association President D. Chandrashekaraiah alleged purposeful efforts to deny promotions to SC/ST employees.

indian Opinion Analysis

The steps initiated by the government represent an attempt at addressing long-standing grievances raised by SC/ST employees regarding promotion opportunities within administrative structures. the involvement of both political leaders and employee associations underscores the sensitivity of this issue in ensuring equitable workplace representation as mandated under existing laws like the Consequential Seniority Act.

Collecting department-level data marks an essential first step; though, effective resolution will depend on transparent examination of submitted reports followed by corrective actions where necessary. Given Karnataka’s history with debates around social justice policies, any delay or lack of progress could deepen distrust among marginalized communities toward institutional frameworks designed for their advancement.

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Source: The Hindu