Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Reservation in jobs

Through the article "Who is perpetuating reservation in jobs?" (July 7) Sharad Yadav has given expression to the voice of the deprived sections aspiring for the civil services. He has exposed the silent killer instincts of the UPSC and the DoPT. The interview is, as it is, a subjective component of the civil service examination. By segregating candidates on the basis of caste, the UPSC is making the personality test more subjective. Is it not possible to interview a candidate on the basis of his/her roll number?

Angirekula Sambaiah,
New Delhi

* * *

How does the UPSC justify its policy of segregating the candidates on the basis of caste while allotting the dates for interview? Candidates of the forward castes are interviewed first, followed by OBCs, SCs, and STs. The marks follow the same sequence in descending order.

If there is no hidden motive in the move, why can't the sequence be changed and reserved candidates interviewed first? Or at least dates allotted at random?

V. Siva Prasad,
Hyderabad

* * *

I would like to thank Mr. Yadav for espousing the cause of the meritorious among the reserved categories who are denied the opportunity by the UPSC to enlist themselves in the general category — which is open for all. This is a sheer mockery of the constitutional provision of positive discrimination. It is a very serious issue because the attitude is rampant even in recruitment to PSUs. The practice has stealthily made its way into government employment amid the din and clamour created by the proponents and opponents of reservation.

Dhananjay Kumar,
Jamshedpur, Jharkhand

* * *

There is no reservation for the forward castes. They have to succeed in open competition. The 50.50 per cent of seats in the unreserved category is general. But those occupying high positions in government misuse it. Many interpret OC to mean other communities, instead of open competition. Even OBCs, MBCs, SCs, and STs are not clear on this. It has been explained in many forums.

In a bus, some seats are earmarked for women. But that does not mean they should not occupy other seats. Reservation is meant for the weaker sections and not for the classes that have already progressed.

V. Pandy,
Tuticorin, T.N.

* * *

Mr. Yadav says meritorious students among the reserved category are not allowed to take the civil service examination in the open category. He has forwarded many arguments to substantiate the claim.

If proved, they amount to contempt of court. Due to lack of awareness among candidates of the reserved category, they are being deprived of their constitutional rights. It is imperative that sufficient checks and balances are put in place to prevent such injustices.

Prabeer Kumar Sikdar,
Adilabad, A.P.

* * *

The deliberate design to keep the meritorious among the reserved category out of the general category goes to show how intense the UPSC's animosity towards the reserved classes is. If such manipulation has taken place with impunity, it is because of the absence of deterrent laws that can hold officials accountable. The practice of separate interviews for the reserved category candidates should be dispensed with.

S.A. Nasser Khan,
Chennai

* * *

The article has exposed the fraud perpetrated on the Constitution by so-called votaries of merit. Further it has spoken up for those who cannot speak for themselves. By denying meritorious candidates of the reserved categories the right to a place in the merit list, the authorities are causing irreparable damage to the poorest among the reserved categories and forcing the meritorious candidates to keep their caste tag.

C. Lovidason,
Thiruvananthapuram

* * *

The UPSC, it is clear, has shown utter disregard for social justice. Worse, no party has raised the issue in Parliament. Shame on this system that does not have any correction methodology by way of a review system!

Sangita Kumari,
Kochi, Kerala

* * *

The argument why continue with reservation when OBC candidates can compete in the general category (Letters, July 8) is unacceptable. Whether we need reservation or not is a political question. As a constitutional body, the UPSC is obliged to act in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and judicial interpretations.

R. Sellamuthu,
New Delhi

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