5 yr age relaxation for Guj riots victims' kin in central jobs

The central government, perhaps for the first time, has given age relaxation to children and dependents of victims of 2002 Gujarat riots in jobs of Intelligence Bureau and CISF.

In two separate advertisements, published ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Home Ministry said upper age limit up to five years is relaxable to the children and dependents of victims in the communal riots of 2002 in Gujarat.

The Intelligence Bureau is seeking applications to fill up 514 posts of Security Assistant (Executive), General Central Service, Group-C (Non-Gazetted/Non-Ministerial) to be posted across the country.

The last date for receiving online applications for the IB posts was February 17.

The Central Industrial Security Force too is seeking to fill up 123 posts of constables (Bandsman-cum-General Duty). The closing date for receipt of application from the candidates for the CISF posts was February 8.

"The age limit is relaxable for ex-servicemen as well as for candidates who were domiciled in Jammu and Kashmir from January 1, 1980 to December 31, 1989 and children and dependents of victims of communal riots of 2002 in Gujarat as per government instructions in this regard issued from time to time," the Intelligence Bureau advertisement said.

The CISF advertisement said upper age limit up to 5 years is relaxable "to the children and dependents of victims killed in the 1984 riots and communal riots of 2002 in Gujarat".

The advertisements clarified that children including adopted son and daughter and dependent family members like spouse or children besides brother or sister in case of unmarried victim who were totally dependent on that victim at the time of his getting killed in the riots are all eligible.

The move to give age relaxation in central government jobs to victims of 2002 Gujarat riots comes just ahead of the announcement of the dates of the general elections.

The Congress has been highly critical of BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's role as Gujarat Chief Minister during the 2002 riots.

Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had accused Modi of "presiding" over the "massacre" of innocent people during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

However, BJP has been defending Modi saying no court has found him guilty in any riot case.