DUTA Press Release on Dharna at SC Commission 28.10.2014

The National Commission of Scheduled Castes Report on the controversial appointments of teachers in Deshbandhu College has pointed out severe flaws in the preparation of the Reservation Roster. The Report upholds the DUTA’s contention that the Roster is at variance with the Government of India’s Reservation Policy and DoPT Guidelines. Based on the advertisement for permanent interviews, the DUTA had objected to the reservation percentages for SC and ST categories as they fall short of the mandated requirement of 15% reservation for SCs and 7.5 % for STs. The Report was read out yesterday by Chairman Dr. P. L. Punia before a delegation comprising DUTA Executive members and teachers of the SC-ST Forum of Deshbandhu College.

Yet, the Commission has refused to make the Report public or intervene effectively in the ongoing process of appointments in the college. The DUTA finds this deliberate effort to push the Report to the back-burner unacceptable. It is intriguing that despite being entrusted with the public responsibility to safeguard the rights of the marginalised sections and ensure that the Government’s policy of affirmative action is implemented correctly, Dr. Punia has chosen to drag his feet and allow the Deshbandhu College appointments to proceed. Unfortunately, the Commission has not even deemed it fit to issue a Press Release on such an important matter.

A group comprising all DUTA Office Bearers, members of the DUTA Executive, the University’s SC, ST and OBC Forum, and a section of teachers from Deshbandhu College gathered at the Lok Nayak Bhavan outside the office of the National Commission of Scheduled Castes to protest against its indifference. It held a Dharna demanding the the Report be immediately made public as the Deshbandhu College appointments indicate the cynical manipulation of the Reservation Roster and the brazen attempt to deny the Reserved categories their entitlement to jobs.