Did Jharkhand HC Maintain Stay on Appointment of 421 Women Supervisors?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Jharkhand High Court has put a hold on the recruitment of Women Supervisors.
- The decision raises significant legal questions about gender-specific hiring practices.
- Next court hearing is scheduled for November 6.
- The recruitment controversy stems from the legitimacy of the 100 percent female reservation.
- Excluded candidates are contesting disqualification based on educational criteria.
Ranchi, Nov 4 (NationPress) - The Jharkhand High Court has reaffirmed its interim stay on the hiring process for 421 Women Supervisor positions within the State Child Welfare Department, effectively pausing the recruitment until the next court session set for Thursday, November 6.
A panel led by Justice Ananda Sen reviewed petitions disputing the recruitment protocol issued by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
The petitioners argued against the legality of limiting the recruitment solely to women, stating that granting 100 percent reservation to any category contravenes constitutional rights.
During the proceedings, Advocate Sanjay Piparwal, representing the JSSC, defended the job postings, explaining that these roles are categorized as a women’s cadre specifically aimed at promoting women and child welfare, thus justifying the restriction to female applicants.
Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan, speaking on behalf of the state, supported the reservation, emphasizing that these roles are vital for the successful execution of child protection and women-focused welfare initiatives, necessitating the presence of women supervisors.
The JSSC announced 421 Female Supervisor vacancies in September 2023, with examinations conducted in September 2024, followed by result declarations.
However, numerous candidates excluded from selection have challenged the High Court's decision, alleging unfair disqualification.
These candidates claimed that the JSSC dismissed their applications based on their educational qualifications being in subsidiary subjects, rather than the principal subjects specified in the job advertisement. They argued that the eligibility criteria did not explicitly state that degrees in subsidiary subjects disqualified them from applying.
After hearing the preliminary arguments, the court decided to maintain the interim stay on the recruitment process until further detailed examination. The case has been scheduled for the next hearing on November 6.