AIVKA resolves to ensure representation of ST in public service commissions of union and the states

Ranchi: All India Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (AIVKA) in its central executive board meeting at Samalakha in Haryana took resolution to ensure representation of scheduled tribe in the public service commissions of union and the states.

Chief of communication of the organisation in Jharkhand, Sunil Kumar Singh, informed this sharing the copy of resolution.

“The Union Public Service Commission works for selection to civil and military, engineering, medical and other higher services like the Indian Administrative, Police, Foreign and Forest Services of the Center and the State Public Service Commissions work for selection to the civil services of the states. These commissions also advise the Center and the States in the promotion, deputation and disciplinary proceedings of these selected officers. These commissions are constitutional institutions under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution. The President appoints the members and the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission and such appointments in the Public Service Commissions of the states are made by the Governors of the respective states,” the resolution reads.

“Like the appointment of judges in the High and Supreme Courts, there is no provision for any kind of reservation in the appointments of members and chairman in the Public Service Commissions even at present. And it is also a fact that in the 77 years of history of the Union Public Service Commission after the independence of the country, till now only 2 chairmen and the same number of members have been appointed from the tribal community and both those chairmen are also from the north-eastern state of Meghalaya,” the resolution further reads.

“More or less the same situation prevails in the state public service commissions (the tribal dominated states of North-East, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh are exceptions to this) where hardly any tribal person has been appointed as the chairperson, and the tribal members have been very few in number. In the initial years of independence it is possible that no person from the tribal community was capable for these posts; but today this is not the situation. People from the tribal community are serving the country or have served in recent years on the top constitutional posts of the country like President, Comptroller and Auditor General, Chief Election Commissioner, Governor,” the resolution further reads.

“When the current President, respected Mrs. Draupadi Murmu was elected as the President of the country, not only did the tribal society feel a sense of pride and satisfaction but also sent a message to the whole world that in India everyone has equal opportunity, everyone has equal participation in governance. Now the time has come to ensure the participation of tribal society in the Union and State Public Service Commissions by making necessary changes in the Constitution and thinking. We believe that this can be done without compromising the reputation and quality of these high and prestigious institutions; because today such capable and qualified persons are available in the tribal society; but it comes to mind that they are being ignored in other posts except civil services. This policy decision of Amrit-Kaal; will have positive, inclusive and far-reaching impact and will further strengthen the spirit of national unity and integrity. Therefore, this Central Executive Board of All India Vanvasi Kalyan demands from the Central and State Governments that all necessary constitutional and other steps be taken for this purpose and new dimensions of participation of tribes in governance and administration be created,” the resolution reads.