Exercising the powers conferred under Article 338 of the Constitution of India, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has ordered inquiry into the matter connected to a representation from Shri Tarun Chugh, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) wherein he has alleged non-implementation of the reservation policy in the recruitment of Lecturers in the Punjab Education Department.

The representation complains that Scheduled Caste candidates have been denied the benefits of reservation in the recruitment process for 1,013 Lecturer posts notified by the Punjab Education Department.

In this regard, a notice has been issued to the Chief Secretary of the Punjab Government, directing him to submit to the Commission, within seven days of receipt of the notice, the facts of the case, the action taken on the allegations, and all related records (including the recruitment notification and the reservation roster).

It is alleged that in several subjects (Punjabi, Commerce, Mathematics, Physics, Economics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, etc.), the reservation rules and the prescribed roster system have not been properly followed.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has also clarified that if a response is not received within the stipulated time limit, it may, under Article 338 of the Constitution, exercise the powers of a civil court and issue summons for personal appearance.

The Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Shri Kishor Makwana, stated that the denial of reservation benefits to Scheduled Caste candidates in the recruitment process for Lecturer posts is a very serious matter.

He said that the Commission is committed to protecting the constitutional rights of Scheduled Castes and to ensuring strict compliance with reservation provisions in government services. The Commission will take all necessary steps in accordance with the law to ensure justice.

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PR-101-TAR/KV/GA/RK

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