PANAJI
Taking cognizance of huge pendency of backlog vacancies under reserved category across various departments, the State government is considering undertaking a special drive across 140-odd government and semi-government departments to ascertain the status of 12 per cent and 2 per cent job reservation for Schedule Tribes (ST) and Schedule Caste (SC).
As per the information, there are more than 1100 backlog vacancies in various government departments, aided institutions and autonomous bodies, etc. In 2019-20, the State SC & ST Commission had sought a report from all the departments on the vacancy backlog under reserved category for ST, SC and also Other Backward Class (OBC). However, several departments failed to submit the report over non-compliance of the reservation.
The government also observed that various departments, aided institutes and autonomous bodies have failed to maintain Post Based Roster regarding reservation.
Speaking to The Goan, Minister for Tribal Welfare Govind Gaude admitted that there is a backlog of vacancies as far as fulfilment of reservation for ST, SC and OBC is concerned. “We are considering conducting a special drive or survey to know the status of each reserved quota as notified by the government,” he said.
Gaude said that the government is committed to ensure that all the vacancies are filled on priority. “We had issued necessary directions to the departments earlier, to see that the backlogs are cleared at the earliest. To see the status, we will have to take a special drive,” he said.
The ST and SC Commission, in its latest report submitted to the government, pointed out that despite efforts made by the government to fill up the backlog vacancies, posts could not be filled due to non-availability of suitable candidates or not coming within the normal zone or extended zone to fill the specialised posts in departments like, agriculture, animal husbandry etc.
“This is one of the issues, which needs to be addressed,” the Minister said.
The Commission also pointed out that in some departments, roster prescribed for giving effect to the order regarding reservation to SC and ST was not maintained properly or entries were not made immediately on appointments of the officials or entries were not signed by the appointing authority or other authorized officer etc.
The Commission had recommended that the Government may carry out special drives to identify the backlog vacancies existing preferably with a period of six months and therefore take appropriate steps to fill up those backlog and current vacancies.
