State govt not bound to provide reservations in jobs and promotions: Supreme Court
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has held that states are not bound to provide reservation in appointments and there is no fundamental right to claim quota in promotions.
"In view of the law laid down by this court, there is no doubt that the state government is not bound to make reservations. There is no fundamental right which inheres in an individual to claim reservation in promotions," a bench of justices L Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta said.
"No mandamus can be issued by the court directing the state government to provide reservations," the bench said in its verdict.
The apex court said this while dealing with pleas regarding Uttarakhand government's September 5, 2012 decision to fill up all posts in public services in the state without providing reservations to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The government's decision was challenged in the Uttarakhand High Court, which struck it down.
Dealing with the appeals against the high court verdict, the top court noted, "It is settled law that the state government cannot be directed to provide reservations for appointment in public posts. Similarly, the state is not bound to make reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in matters of promotions."
"However, if they (state) wish to exercise their discretion and make such provision, the state has to collect quantifiable data showing inadequacy of representation of that class in public services," the bench said.
While upholding the Uttarakhand government's September 2012 notification, the apex court said that as the government is not bound to provide reservation in promotions, the high court should not have declared the state's decision as illegal.
Referring to constitutional provision about reservation, the bench said, "It is for the state government to decide whether reservations are required in the matter of appointment and promotions to public posts."
It noted that Article 16 (4) and 16 (4-A) of the Constitution empowers the state to make reservation in matters of appointment and promotion in favour of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes "if in the opinion of state they are not adequately represented in the services of the state".
"The language in clauses (4) and (4-A) of Article 16 is clear, according to which, the inadequacy of representation is a matter within the subjective satisfaction of the state," the bench said, adding, "All that is required is that there must be some material on the basis of which the opinion is formed
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Karnataka govt invites applications for 10-month vocational training for underprivileged girls
Bengaluru, May 9 (PTI): Karnataka State Child Welfare Organization invites applications for the 2025 Vocational Training Scheme, which provides vocational training to economically backward young girls and women from rural and urban areas.
According to a press release issued by the Karnataka government on Friday, young women between the ages of 17 and 35 who have passed or failed SSLC/PUC can apply.
The last date for applying is May 31, added the release.
Trained candidates will be eligible to work as pre-school teachers in balwadis, kindergartens, daycare centres, special children's schools, government companies and non-government organisations, according to the press release.
The 10-month long training will start from June 10 at the Balasevika Training Centre in Jayamahal Layout, Bengaluru. The training is completely free, and free accommodation and food facilities are available for those in need. There will be a special scholarship for the candidates.
