The Centre has officially communicated to the Supreme Court that there will be a provision for reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in temporary appointments lasting 45 days or more. This response comes in the context of a petition seeking the court's intervention to ensure the inclusion of SCs, STs, and OBCs in temporary appointments, according to media reports.
Citing an Office Memorandum from September 24, 1968, the government emphasized that reservation for SCs and STs has been established in all temporary appointments, with the exception of those lasting less than 45 days. This provision was reiterated concerning appointments to central government posts and services in a subsequent Office Memorandum dated May 15, 2018.
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However, the Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of SCs and STs noted that these instructions were not consistently followed, directing that they be circulated again to all government departments. Responding to this, the government issued another Office Memorandum on November 21, 2022, urging all ministries and departments to ensure reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs in all temporary appointments lasting 45 days or more. The government highlighted the establishment of a mechanism to address instances where the November 21 Office Memorandum is not adhered to.
