For anti-Sikh riots victims, Delhi L-G eases criteria for govt jobs

The move, which his office said was pending for decades due to “procedural delays and insensitive red tape”, will enable a larger pool of candidates to secure employment; it comes after a comprehensive review of cases which revealed that several applicants had been denied employment despite meeting the eligibility criteria.

According to Saxena’s office, various groups, public representatives, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, and a delegation of the victims themselves had met the L-G and appealed to consider all eligible applicants, including those who may have aged or passed away.

His office said the government had previously nominated 564 individuals for compassionate appointments, with 133 securing positions in the 1990s; while age relaxation was granted in subsequent years, qualification relaxation was seen to have remained a hurdle for many.

“The 1984 (anti) Sikh Riots were a blot on Indian democratic traditions. Terrible atrocities were committed upon a particular minority community, violating all standards of human rights… Given the significant trauma and hardship endured by the victims… and the absence of relief for a few families for over the last four decades, a humanitarian view is needed…,” Saxena noted with regard to the proposal.

He issued directions to view the victims of the anti-Sikh riots as a special category of persons allowed full relaxation in required education qualification to various government posts, to the remaining applicants identified by the Revenue Department earlier.

“Recognising the immense suffering and prolonged struggle faced by the 1984 riot victims, Saxena has directed the Department/s concerned to explore the possibility of providing employment to the children of deceased or aged applicants on humanitarian grounds,” the L-G’s office said.