Economic Reservation : Centre Issues Instructions For Implementing EWS Quota In Services [Read Circular]

The Department of Personnel and Training yesterday issued a set of instructions for implementing quota for Economically Weaker Sections(EWS) in services and posts under Central Government.

This is in continuation of an earlier Office Memorandum issued by DoPT on January 19, which held that EWS quota will be effective for will be effective for all direct recruitment vacancies in central government posts and services notified after February 1, 2019.

The highlights are :

Quantum of Reservation

The recently introduced Article 16(6) of the Constitution of India as per Constitution(103rd) Amendment Act empowers government to give EWS resevation up to 10%. Based on this, the government has declared that the quantum of EWS reservation will be 10%.

Exempted posts

Posts classified as "Scientific and Technical" are exempt from EWS quota.

Income Criteria

Persons whose family has gross annual income less than Rs. 8 lakhs will be considered for EWS quota (Family will include parents, spouse, children and siblings below the age of 18 years). Income will cover income from all sources, whether salary, profession, business, agriculture etc.

Also, persons having the following possessions will be excluded from EWS quota :

• 5 acres of agricultural land or above.
• Residential flat of 1000 square feet or above.
• Residential plot of 100 square yards or above in notified municipalities.
• Residential plot of 200 square yards or above in areas other than notified municipalities

The benefit of reservation under EWS can be availed upon production of an Income and Asset Certificate issued by a Competent Authority. The competent authorities are:

• District Magistrate/Additional District Magistrate/ Collector/ Deputy Commissioner/Additional' Deputy Commissioner/ 1st Class Stipendary Magistrate/ Sub-Divisional Magistrate/ Taluka Magistrate! Executive.
• Chief Presidency Magistrate/Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate/Presidency Magistrate/Extra Assistant Commissioner 
• Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar.
• Sub-Divisional Officer or the area where the candidate and/or his family normally resides.

Maintenance of Rosters

The general principles of applying roster specified in DoPT Office Memorandum issued on July 2, 1997 will apply in case of EWS quota.

Government establishment are directed to recast group-wise post-based reservation roster register for direct recruitment in accordance with format given in Annexure II, III, IV and V of the Office Memorandum issued yesterday.

No carrying forward of unfilled EWS posts

Where in any recruitment year any vacancy earmarked for EWS cannot be filled up due to non availability of a suitable candidate belonging to EWS, such vacancies for that particular recruitment year shall not be carried forward to the next recruitment year as backlog. 

EWS person can be adjusted in unreserved posts

A person belonging to EWS cannot be denied the right to compete for appointment against an unreserved vacancy. Persons belonging to EWS who are selected on the basis of merit and not on account of reservation are not to be counted towards the quota meant for reservation. 

Periodic reports on EWS representation

The Ministries and Departments have to prepare fortnightly and annual reports on EWS representation.

Grievance Redressal Officer

Every Government establishment shall appoint a senior officer of the Department as the Grievance Reclressal Officer. Any person aggrieved with any matter relating to discrimination in employment against any EWS may file a complaint with the Grievance Redressal Officer of the respective Government establishment.

This scheme will be applicable for all vacancies notified after February 1.

Read Office Memorandum