Beneficiaries of the reservation can also apply in the general category: Supreme

New delhi date. Monday, December 21, 2020

The Supreme Court has said that SCs, STs, OBCs can also apply for general category jobs in government jobs. This is because general category jobs are considered open to everyone. Supreme Court judges U U Lalit, Ravindra Bhat and Rishikesh Roy said the general or open category is for everyone.

The apex court said that even the beneficiaries of the reservation in the open category have the right to apply as the open category has only merit basis. The apex court also said that the quota policy does not mean denial of eligibility. Quota policy is not meant to keep skilled people out of jobs. Even then, why don't they fall into the reserved category.

The apex court said that eligibility for filling the seats should be taken into consideration and skilled students should be given priority in it. Then why shouldn't such a person have any gender. The Supreme Court has made this observation regarding the open category and has said that merit is the only basis in the open category and therefore it can include any category of General, OBC, SC, ST.

The court also said that the reserve is to ensure representation in public services. It cannot be made harsh. Doing so would leave every section of society in the realm of reservation and neglect merit.