Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said Monday that his government was “exploring ways” to provide 100 percent reservation in government jobs to locals in all the tribal areas of the state.
During a review meeting on Tribal Welfare, there were discussions on steps to be taken to restore the GO No 3 which was struck down in 2020 by the Supreme Court. Issued in 2000, it provided that all posts of teachers in the schools in scheduled areas of the state will be filled only by the local Scheduled Tribe candidates.
Providing 100 percent reservation to tribals in local jobs was among Naidu’s election promises last year.
Through a GO issued in 1986, tribals were provided 100 percent in Agency — or scheduled areas — for teaching positions, Naidu said.
“Following some legal tangles, GO No 3 was issued in the year 2000 taking women reservation into consideration. After its implementation Girijans got 4,626 teacher posts in Agency areas,” he said.
The GO was eventually challenged and struck down.
“However, as the previous government delayed abnormally to file a review petition on this, the apex court dismissed the appeal too following which the tribals lost the benefits that are available through the GO No 3,” the Chief Minister said.
Monday’s meeting focussed on the opportunities to provide 100 percent quota in government jobs for tribals in agency areas, available possibilities and obstructions, he said, adding that instructions had been given to get feedback from tribals and their unions on the restoration of GO No 3.
The officials told the CM there were three ways to restore the GO: providing 100 percent reservation to local Girijans, providing quota to tribals according to their population ratio and giving reservation not beyond 50 percent as advised by the Supreme Court.
“Discussions should be held with legal and Constitutional experts at national level,” Naidu is quoted to have told officials, adding: “There is no question of leaving any opportunity available to do justice to tribals”.
