TMB Corresoondent
Kangpokpi: Perturbed with the alleged imperious action of the incumbent RIMS administration in depriving the reservation rights of the tribals in the direct recruitment to Group C and Group D posts, the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) called for agitation from April 3, 2023, in all hill districts of Manipur.
The decision to resort to agitation by the Union was reportedly considered after repeated pleas for streamlining of the reservation norms in direct recruitment in consonance with the rule of law is ignored by the RIMS administration.
According to the student body’s Department of Information and Publicity, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, while having convinced that the direct recruitment to Group C and Group D posts normally attracts candidates from locality or a region, fixed the reservation quantum of reserved categories on the basis of their population in the respective State/UTs. As such, the reservation quantum of SC, ST and OBC for the case of Manipur State in regard to direct recruitment of Group C and Group D posts of Central institutions was fixed as 3% for SC, 34 % for ST and 13% for OBC respectively vide DoPT OM No. 36017/2/2004 -Estt.(Res) dated 05/07/2005.
However, defying the DoPT OM, advertisements for recruitment of 134 posts MTS and 9 posts of LDC was notified vide Notification No.B/3025/2015 – RIMS dated 16th Jan 20216 and Notification No. B/3222/2018 dated 1st June 2019 respectively. ATSUM lodged complaint to RIMS authority, concerned Ministry and NCST for streamlining of the reservation norms in line with DoPT OM.
In connection with the issue, discussion between ATSUM and RIMS authority was positively held on several occasions. Further, a joint meeting of Parliamentary committee, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes and RIMS authority for necessary rectification of the reservation quantum was also held and subsequently, the RIMS authority vide its notification dated 5th March 2021 revised the reservation roster in respect of 134 post of MTS which was advertised on 16th Jan 2016 as 67 posts for UR, 4 posts for SC, 46 posts for ST and 17 posts for OBC respectively.
After a clarification in the matter of reservation in appointment of Group C and erstwhile Group D posts in Central Government Institutions functioning in Manipur state was sought vide letter No. B/3222/2018 RIMS(Pt – I) dated 16 – 11 -2021, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI instruction for adherence of reservation quantum of 3% for SCs, 34% for STs and 13% for OBCs in case of direct recruitment to Group C and Group D was conveyed to the RIMS Director vide letter No. U -12025/19/2019 – NE dated 11th May 2022.
Accordingly, in compliance with the Ministry letter, the RIMS administration with the approval of the concerned authority issued an order of reservation quantum to be followed in RIMS as 3% for SC, 34 % for ST, 13% for OBC and 50% for UR in case of direct recruitment to Group C and Group D posts vide Order No. M/1/2019 – RIMS (49) dated 21st May 2022.
However, the incumbent RIMS administration in gross violation of the known reservation norms, declared the results for appointment of 9 LDC posts at RIMS vide No. B/3222/2018 – RIMS dated 03/03/2023. Despite cordial plead of ATSUM for rectification of the reservation discrepancies, RIMS administration remained adamant in justifying its deliberate wrong doing at the persuasion of few administrative officers, it stated.
It also stated that it is also learnt that the RIMS administration is further trying to aggravate the pain of the tribals by processing DPCs for other posts before the reservation quantum of SC, ST and OBC is streamlined.
Therefore, while considering the blatant act of the Incumbent RIMS administration as “a challenge to the authority of Indian Constitution” and “a desperate attempt to deprive the Manipur tribal communities of their legitimate rights”, the All Tribal Students’ Union as endorsed by its 3rd General Assembly held on March 27, will resort to various form of democratic agitation from April 3 with various charter of demands.
The demands include nullification of the notorious declaration of results for appointment of LDC, RIMS dated 3rd March 2023. Secondly, appropriate action against the erring RIMS administration in accordance with prevailing laws. Thirdly, putting on hold of aappointmentsand DPC of other staff till reservation of ST, SC, and OBC is streamlined.
It also stated that the ATSUM in consultation with other stakeholders may also intensify the agitation if the legitimate demands are ignored.
