Educational institutions invite general candidates for unreserved posts

The authorities of Trilokchandji Vidya Mandir from Devkaran na Muvada village of Dehgam taluka in Gandhinagar had,on August 9,published an advertisement in a vernacular daily inviting applications to fill the post of Assistant Teacher. The advertisement stated that the seat is to be filled by a candidate of the non-reserved category only.

Explaining this,school principal Kantibhai Patel said,“The ‘non-reserved category candidates’ means that any one can apply for the post.” Asked if the language of the advertisement would discourage the reserved category candidates,he said,“No,it will not. All the candidates will apply for the post.”

He,however,expressed his inability to divulge details on the applications received so far by the school. Similar ads are being published by many other educational institutions from across the state.

Take for instance,two advertisements by D S Patel High School from Valasan village in Anand district and D K Shah Vidyalay from Shinavada village in Sabarkantha district,were published in a leading Gujarati daily on August 18 and 21 respectively.

CSJ secretary Valjibhai Patel said: “Since these institutions invite applications only from the non-reserved category students,those from the reserved category do not apply,which is against the spirit of the reservation policy and an offence on the part of these institutions. A vacancy can be non-reserved,but how can it be that it will be filled by non-reserved category candidates?”

Education Minister Ramanlal Vora,however,feels there is nothing to object to in such ads. “When they say that the seat is to be filled by a non-reserved category candidate,it is implied that all the eligible candidates can apply for the post… these advertisements are published in the government administrative language and they have a specific meaning,” Vora said.

Contrary to this,Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Fakirbhai Vaghela objected to the advertisements. “I have received a complaint in writing in this regard. And logically,I agree with the same. When the vacancy is for open category,anybody can apply for it. I have issued orders to inquire into the matter,” Vaghela said. Incidentally,such advertisements are published after consultation with the concerned District Education Officer (DEO).

Gandhinagar DEO A K Rathod said,“It is true that such ads should not be published,but we cannot read each and every line of such ads before they get published.”