GANGTOK, June 16 - In a major development, economically weaker sections of people of Sikkim, who do not fall in the reserved categories of ST, SC or OBC, will now be entitled to 10 per cent reservation in government jobs. This was stated by Secretary to the Chief Minister, SD Dhakal, at a press conference at the Tashiling Secretariat.
Dhakal said that this was a long-standing demand of a section of the Sikkimese population who have been deprived of privileges, especially with regard to employment and educational opportunities outside the State, including All India Services.
Terming this as a historic development, the Secretary said that the matter was given highest priority by the present State Government and was vigorously pursued and placed in the Assembly session, and after a thorough examination, it was finally passed in a Cabinet meeting today. He said that a notification regarding the reservation entitlements would be issued by the State Government within a week�s time.
The Secretary stated that only people who fall within the stipulated category and within the bracket of �economically weaker section� would benefit from the reservation. This includes persons whose annual family income is less than Rs 8 lakh or who possess less than five acres of land or less than 1,000 square feet of residential flat in any municipal area, or less than 100 square yard of a residential plot in a municipal area, or less than 200 square yard of a residential plot the outside municipal area along the roadside or in commercial areas.
Dhakal further stated that certificates would be issued after thorough verification by the district collectorate and all sub-divisional magistrates. He added that the certificates can also be accessed through the online mode and should be renewed on a yearly basis.
The Secretary pointed out that the reservation would not apply to technical and scientific posts and other such posts which are outside the purview of the Central services.
Meanwhile, Dhakal also informed the media persons that the system of conducting viva-voce for all State Government posts for Group C and D posts has been done away with.
