Govt. lays down norms for quota in promotions

What is the News?

The Department of Personnel and Training(DoPT) has issued a memorandum laying down norms for implementing the policy of reservation in promotion in government offices.

What are the norms issued by DoPT about the policy of reservation in promotion in government offices?

Firstly, all Union government departments should collect data on inadequate representation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes before implementing the policy of reservation in promotion in government offices.

Secondly, based on the Supreme Court Judgment, three conditions have to be met while implementing the policy of reservation in promotions. These conditions are:

– Collection of quantifiable data regarding the inadequacy of representation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes; 

– application of this data to each cadre separately; and 

– if a roster exists, the unit for operation of the roster would be the cadre or the quantifiable data would have to be collected and applied in regard to the filling up of the vacancies in the roster.

Thirdly, to ensure the maintenance of efficiency of administration, the promotion committee shall assess the suitability of the officers considered for promotion.

What is the significance of these norms?

This move is likely to benefit Central Secretariat Service(CSS) officials who have not been promoted for the past six years. The CSS comprises middle to senior management rank officials in various Ministries.

Source: This post is based on the article “Govt. lays down norms for quota in promotions” published in The Hindu on 14th April 2022.