Ignoring reservation policy not less than a conspiracy against the weaker section

Ignoring reservation policy not less than a conspiracy against the weaker section

Himachal Pradesh is abode of 25 per cent schedule castes, five percent schedule tribe, more than 15 per cent OBCs and disabled population is 2.25 per cent among the total population i.e. 68 Lakh. In Continuity to the provisions enshrined in our constitution there are mammoth machinery at the centre and in the state to cater the interests of these marginal groups more so the whole state ministry is in existence in HP too.

There are many organisations in the state claiming to be the vanguard of these depressed communities naming as morchas, manch and claiming them self de facto fighter apart from of political parties.  However the university which is known as den of scholars and visionary peoples, the Himachal Pradesh University have ignored the reservation policy while advertising 224 seats for the admission to Ph.D in different subjects.

It is pertinent here the University Grant Commission is the apex body to regulations on minimum standards of education and its notification appeared in the Gazette of India on the month of May, 2016 its clause 5.2.3 clearly envisages that adhere to the National/state reservation policy, as applicable. In the light of UGC above notification university is bound to follow the state reservation policy at the time of admission in 224 Ph.D. seats.

The state government in Himachal Pradesh is giving reservation in different way e.g. in government services for class I & II for SC’s 15 per cent, ST’s 5 per cent, OBC’s 12 per cent and for PwD it is 3 per cent, for class-III & IV there is 22 per cent for SC’s, 7.5 per cent for ST’s, 18 per cent for OBC’s and 3 per cent for disabled.

In the light of above state reservation Policy University has to follow the same pattern while granting admission not only in to M.Phil & Ph.D courses but for other post-graduate and graduate courses as well.

In the university the office of the dean of studies is empowered to conduct all entrance, other semester and annual examinations free and transparent manner by considering university’s and UGC’s regulations and various government rules. While talking about the transparency it is the paramount duty of the two offices, the office of Dean of Studies and Controller of Examination to ensure transparency as well as secrecy.  

It is again evident the Himachal Pradesh University campus is highly volatile with respect to the students politics and many teaching personal are directly office bearer to students’ as well as party’s mass organisations. In that situation it is suggested to these responsible offices to set the question papers from experts of other university or the institution instead of same department of the university. 

There are various Acts being enacted by the parliament such as SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocity) Act, 1989 to ensure the rights of the concerned communities and prevent atrocities on them. Therefore ignoring the important reservation policy in the light of clear cut notification by the university grant commission may be viewed not less than conspiracy against the SC’’s, ST’s and OBC’s and may be covered under these Acts as such. The act of ignoring the reservation policy is a just mistake for the perpetrators but for aggrieved it is future and the sole responsibility is of the state to protect the fundamental right of an individual and upholds the rule of law.