
CM seeks legals ways to restore govt job reservations for tribals
Vijayawada: Chief minister
Nara Chandrababu Naidu
on Monday stated that govt is committed to providing 100% reservation for
local tribals
in govt jobs in agency areas. As
GO-3
, intended to give govt jobs to only local tribals in agency areas, was struck down by the Supreme Court after judicial review, Naidu held a review meeting with the officials to explore possibilities of extending the benefits to tribals by complying with the apex court order.Recalling various GOs issued by the TDP govts in 1986 and 2000, Naidu said that according to the GO issued in 1986, they provided 100% reservation for local tribals in teacher posts in the agency.
Due to legal complications following the increased percentage of women's reservations, GO-3 was issued in 2000. More than 4,626 teacher jobs were secured for tribals in the agency area. However, the petitions filed challenging GO-3 in 2002 were decided in 2020 by the apex court, cancelling the GO. Naidu observed that the previous YSRCP govt should have filed a review petition in the interest of tribals, but they chose to ignore the same.The chief minister promised tribals in the run-up to elections that the benefits given as per GO-3 would be restored legally, complying with the Supreme Court judgement. He directed the officials to explore possibilities to extend the benefits to the tribals. The officials proposed three options for restoring the benefits of GO-3.The first option is to provide 100% reservation for local tribals in agency areas, the second is to give reservations based on their population proportion, and the third, as suggested by the Supreme Court, is to provide reservations for local tribals without exceeding 50% and ensuring their rights. However, Naidu stated, "We are committed to fully upholding tribal rights in tribal areas. We are determined to restore the benefits of GO-3 or ensure justice for tribals at the same level as promised during elections. We must consult constitutional and legal experts at the national level on this matter."

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