The recent decision by the Patna High Court regarding the reservation rules for the appointment of vice principals in industrial training institutes (ITIs) in Bihar has sparked a significant change in the recruitment process. The court accepted the assurance of Advocate General PK Shahi that the results of the exam would be published after following the rules of reservation applicable on that date. This decision comes after the Bihar government started altering the process to revert to the old reservation formula of 50% in large-scale teachers‘ recruitment.
The writ petition filed by Ram Manohar Pandey sought direction to the Bihar government and the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) to revise the advertisement issued for the appointment of 76 vice principals in ITIs in light of the HC order. The bench of Justice Anshuman disposed of the petition after hearing the arguments, stating that the results of the exam would be published based on the prevailing reservation rules.
This decision will have an impact on all recruitment exams planned after the gazette notification of new reservation laws. The education department has already reverted to the old 50% reservation formula for teachers‘ recruitment. The counsel for the petitioner, Navin Prasad Singh, requested a stay on the exam, questioning how the BPSC could proceed with a new recruitment exam based on increased reservations that have been quashed by the HC.
Advocate General PK Shahi confirmed that the exam would be held as per schedule, and the results would be published based on the prevailing reservation rules. He mentioned that if the Apex Court upholds the Bihar government’s decision, the reservation percentage would change accordingly. The HC order will naturally apply to all such situations, with a rider that the results could change in accordance with the Apex Court verdict.
The Supreme Court recently refused to grant a stay on the Patna HC order, setting aside Bihar reservation laws that increased quotas for various categories. This means that all results of forthcoming recruitment exams in Bihar will be issued as per the prevailing 50% quota formula unless there is a fresh order from the Apex court.
The Bihar government has already started altering the process to revert to the old reservation formula of 50% in large-scale teachers‘ recruitment. The Director of Primary Education, Mithilesh Mishra, wrote to all district education officers to ensure that the roster of vacancies is prepared based on the old reservation formula.
Overall, the decision by the Patna High Court regarding reservation rules in recruitment exams has significant implications for the recruitment process in Bihar. It highlights the importance of following the prevailing reservation rules and being prepared for potential changes based on court decisions. The Bihar government’s proactive approach to reverting to the old reservation formula ensures that the recruitment process remains fair and transparent.