The government’s social equity policy does not reflect in its functioning. Despite reservation for scheduled castes (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST) in government jobs and promotions, there is not a single SC at the secretary level.
Of the 874 central government officers posted at various levels, only 45 belong to SC and 23 to ST category. Not a single SC is among the 88 IAS officers posted as secretary in various central ministries. There are four secretaries who belong to ST category though.
Among the 66 additional secretaries, there is only one officer each from SC and ST category. Of the 249 joint secretaries, there are only 13 officers from SC and 9 from ST. And of the 471 director-level officers, only 31 are SC and 9 ST.
Upset with the disparity, the National Commission for SC (NCSC) has sought an explanation from the government. “We have asked the secretary of the department of personnel and training (DoPT) to explain this,” commission chairman Buta Singh said. A commission member even hinted at bias. “There are many suitable people, but why are SCs/STs not picked up for top posts? One cannot rule out bias,” NCSC member Mahendra Boddh said.
Dalit activist Udit Raj minced no words though. “The bias against competent SC/ST officers during the empanelment of joint secretaries stops them from becoming secretaries,” he said.
DoPT clarified that officers on these posts are appointed on deputation from various cadres. Therefore, the percentage of SC/ST officers on these posts need not be the same as in their respective cadres. The posts of secretary, additional secretary and joint secretary in the ministries and departments are not promotion posts, like those in the ministry of external affairs where posts of these designations are cadre posts.
Under the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS), the posts of secretary, additional secretary, joint secretary and director are filled with officers from various cadres, including state cadres, who are empanelled from a list of those who opt for deputation under the CSS.
“There is no provision of reservation for SCs/STs in these posts. However, at the time of empanelment, every effort is made to empanel SC/ST officers, if needed by adopting liberal benchmarks,” said Prithviraj Chavan, minister of state in the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions.
An official claimed there is usually a shortfall of SC/ST officers during recruitment, which carries on till the end and is reflected in appointments of secretaries. UPSC had recommended only 34 candidates belonging to SC, 28 to ST and 136 to OBC during 2007-08, against 249 posts reserved for them in civil services, the official said.
