E Haribabu
A two-day national workshop on implementation of reservation policy in Central Universities has been organized by the University of Hyderabad. Prof. E. Haribabu, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, inaugurating the workshop on 30 April 2015, welcomed the delegates representing more than 40 Central Universities and expressed hope that they would enjoy their stay at Hyderabad as it has been the most happening city in India. Emphasizing the need to fulfill the affirmative policy of Reservations as enshrined in the provisions of the Constitution, Prof. Haribabu was of the view that the Central Universities have a major role in guiding the other Universities towards this end. He recalled the remarks made by the President of India, in one of his interactive sessions with the Vice-Chancellors of the Central Universities, that he was very particular that the Central Universities take a lead in this regard. A vast percentage of faculty positions have been lying vacant for long for want of nominees of the Visitor in the panel of Selection Committees. The President has been very particular to address this problem. Prof. Haribabu hoped that the two-day workshop will provide a forum for the delegates to seek clarifications from Resource Persons in realizing the fundamental principle of JUSTICE- Economic, Political and Social. He also felt that the urgency of the problem be looked at with the same seriousness.
P H Naik
Earlier in the day Dr. P.H. Naik, the Jt. Registrar (Reservation Cell) at UoH who is coordinating this workshop welcomed the dignitaries Dr. H.S. Rana, Indian Institute of Public Administration (IPA), Bangalore and Dr. K.G. Verma, former Officer of DOPT as the experts and resource persons.
A two minute silence was also observed by all in memory of the victims of the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal and parts of India.
H S Rana
Dr. H.S. Rana was of the view that doubts about policies still persist and it is difficult to define them as the concepts are not clear. Even though there are more than 650 Universities in the country none of them have organized any programmes on Reservation Policy. Universities need to take the lead and disseminate the information among the people and I compliment UoH for taking this lead, he added.
K G Verma
Dr. K.G. Verma said that Reservations are closely related to the Constitutional goals and methods that are in the part 3&4 of the Constitution. All institutions need to ensure equality and towards this they must fully implement reservations as laid down by the Government of India, he added.
M Sudhakar
Proposing Vote of Thanks, Mr. M. Sudhakar, Registrar of University of Hyderabad expressed heartfelt gratitude to the dignitaries for readily accepting to come over to attend the workshop as Resource persons despite their busy schedules. He also thanked the authorities of different universities for deputing their personnel to attend the workshop. He also thanked the Vice-chancellor for the proactive help in organizing the same.
Prof. Mohammad Afzal Zargar, Registrar, Central University of Kashmir hoped that this workshop will throw more light on the Reservations. And on his part he was fulfilling the principle of Reservations in letter and spirit as he was answerable to the MHRD. As regards to Reservations for the Scheduled Tribes, they are considering nomadic cattle herders like Gujjar Bhakarwals under Scheduled Tribe category. While thanking the University of Hyderabad for taking the initiative to organize this workshop, he expressed his happiness for being part of the same.
North Eastern Hill University Assistant Registrar Ms. Grace, who is also a participant expressed her happiness about the workshop being conducted by University of Hyderabad but added that the UGC too should have also been associated with coordinating the same.” Such workshops should be conducted annually by each University as it would clear all ambiguities, if any in implementing the Reservation system in letter and spirit, she added. Ms. Grace further says that the UoH has taken the lead and this workshop has brought administrators and officials together to exchange the problems they face in implementing the reservation policy.
The two-day workshop discussed in detail on Constitutional background of Reservations, Concept of Merit, Determination of Reservation, Preparation and Maintenance of Reservation Registers and Rosters Registers, Modes of Recruitment, Verification of Caste Claims and Role and functions of Liaison Officers, National Commissions and SC/ST Welfare Associations.
T Venkatacharyulu, Trained Graduate Teacher, UoH