Turmoil in LS over reservation in promotion in govt jobs

The Lok Sabha plunged into turmoil minutes after convening today as members vociferously demanded that government bring a Constitution amendment bill for reservation in promotion of SCs and STs in state jobs.

As soon as the House met, SP and BSP members trooped to the Well demanding reservation for SC/STs in promotions in government jobs.

With member's refusing to relent, Speaker Meira Kumar allowed some members to speak on the issue.

Shailendra Kumar (SP) said there was fear in the minds of a number of SC/ST government employees on the lack of reservations in promotions.

Panna Lal Punia (Cong) said Parliament had given SC/ST persons the right to reservation in government jobs and five persons cannot take away this right.

Dara Singh Chauhan (BSP) demanded that the SC/ST employees should be granted reservation in promotion in government jobs immediately.

In April, the Supreme Court had upheld the Allahabad High Court's decision to scrap the policy of reservations in promotions introduced by the Uttar Pradesh government.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said the matter was of utmost importance for the government but a response to the Supreme Court has to be worked out in such a way that it should stand the test of time.

"We cannot do it in a hurry, we have to give a considered response," Bansal said.P Lingam (CPI) and Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shiv Sena) were on their feet displaying placards 'Implement Reservation Act'.