ATSUM demands "employment justice" for tribals
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 23 2017:
Pertaining to the case of recruitment of Assistant Professor conducted by Manipur Public Service Commission for which the verdict was given by the High Court of Manipur on January 11, 2017, All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur today stated that it is a gross miscarriage of justice to the tribals of Manipur in particular.
In a statement, ATSUM said that against the total 280 posts of Assistant Professor, 58 posts was for unreserved category, 38 seats was for OBC while 184 posts were solely for the tribals due to the shortage and backlog in the past recruitment.
This break up for category wise has been done in accordance with the present strength of service personnel for each community.
The State Government stoutly defended in the Court that although the Tribals reservation alone exceeded 50% of reservation, it was needed to give employment justice to the tribals for which they have been insufficiently represented in the past recruitment.
The State Government admitted that tribals have not been done justice with their representation in Assistant Professor recruitment in the past.
However, much to the dismay of the tribal community, the Judge did not take cognizance of it but citing the Manipur Reservation Rules, 2011, it directed the State Government to limit the ceiling of 50% reservation and allots 50% of the total seats to the unreserved category.
Thereby, the seat for tribals has been reduced by 97 from 184 to 87 (31%) while the posts for unreserved category has been increased from 58 to 140.It is not that the tribals are demanding for more seats from others but be adequately represented i.e.31% taking into account of the past recruitment, ATSUM said.
As an apex student body of the tribals in Manipur, ATSUM beseeched the State Government to give "employment justice" to tribals in Assistant Professor by retaining the original seats of the tribals.
At the same time, the result should be declared at the earliest possible as directed by the Court which has been pending since January, 2016 .
Otherwise the anti Tribal moves will invite the wrath of tribals in the coming 11 th Assembly Election of Manipur by launching intense agitation, it said.