http://www.the-hindu.com/stories/1407221c.htm
By Our Staff Correspondent

JAIPUR, DEC. 6. At a massive public rally here today, the Congress(I) Government in Rajasthan was attacked for its alleged failure to comply with reservation norms and discrimination against Scheduled Caste and Tribe officials by not filling up the backlog of vacancies and denying them timely promotions.

The rally, organised by the All Rajasthan Federation of SC, ST and OBC Officers and Employees, coincided with the death anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Striking an unusual note on the occasion, leaders of various political parties addressed the rallyists - the most prominent among them being the BJP's national president, Mr. Bangaru Laxman.

Mr. Bangaru Laxman, in his address, said the backlog of vacancies for reserved categories all over the country had risen to three lakhs. He stressed the need to launch a massive recruitment drive to fill up these vacancies, while charging that the Rajasthan Government had not only failed to fill up the vacancies but was also removing the SC and ST employees.

He said the Rajasthan Government had used five ordinances promulgated by the erstwhile United Front Government at the Centre to victimise SC and ST officials. Far from ensuring 28 per cent reservation stipulated for them, the State Government has resorted to demoting the SC and ST officers on the pretext of implementing the Supreme Court verdict.

Mr. Laxman asserted that the NDA Government led by his party in the Centre had protected the rights of reserved categories by bringing about constitutional amendments for extending reservation for ten years, continuing the relaxation accorded to reserved sections, and removing the 50 per cent ceiling in the filling up of backlog vacancies.

He hoped that an amendment would be introduced in the current session of Parliament for doing away with the anomalies in promotions for SC, ST and OBC officials in service. ``Crores of dalits are languishing in poverty, unemployment and illiteracy. It is our responsibility to improve their lot,'' he commented.

The rally started from Ramniwas Garden and wound its way through the city markets to culminate at the Ambedkar Circle near the High Court building, where it was converted into a public meeting. The State unit president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Mr. Jagmal Singh Yadav; Ms. Jaskaur Meena BJP MP; the national president of Anusoochit Jati Morcha, Mr. Ramnath Kovid and the State unit leaders of Bahujan Samaj Party were among others who addressed the rally.