Bihar extends quota to judiciary

In a major decision that is likely to reap electoral benefits, the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar has announced reservation for Backward Classes (BCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) for direct appointment in state’s judicial services.

In a major decision that is likely to reap electoral benefits, the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar has announced reservation for Backward Classes (BCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) for direct appointment in state’s judicial services.

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From now on, 49.5 per cent of the seats (27 per cent for BCs and 22.5 per cent for SCs & STs) would be reserved in junior and senior category posts in the judicial services.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet held at the chief minister’s residence on Thursday.

While members of the SC and ST communities were availing of reservation in the junior category (civil judge), there was no reservation for the post of additional district judge (ADJ). The reservation has been provided under the Bihar Reservation Rules.

Briefing newspersons on the decision, principal secretary of the Cabinet Coordination Department, Girish Shankar said that so far SCs and STs had enjoyed reservation for direct appointment to the post of civil judge only. “But the state government decided on Thursday to extend this facility to Backward Classes as well by amending the 1991 rules pertaining to appointment into the Bihar Judicial Services,” he said.

The basis of government’s decision was the reservation provided to BCs, SCs and STs in all-India services and direct appointment in judicial services in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab and Uttarakhand.

The state cabinet’s decision to extend reservation in the judicial services was hailed by Janata Dal-United leaders. “It’s a historical, revolutionary and a welcome decision. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has fulfilled the decade-old demand of the people,” said party leader Bhim Singh.