Did Mamata Banerjee Amend the 2010 IRCTC Tender Policy to Favor Minorities?
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Synopsis
In a noteworthy development, the NHRC has ordered an investigation into Mamata Banerjee's 2010 policy amendments that allegedly reduced SC/ST/OBC reservations to accommodate minority preferences. This controversial policy has raised questions about constitutional compliance and political motives behind the reservation adjustments.
Key Takeaways
- NHRC has called for an investigation into the alleged reservation policy changes.
- Mamata Banerjee was accused of modifying the tender policy to favor minorities.
- The complaint raises constitutional compliance issues regarding reservations.
- Concerns over the rights of SC/ST/OBC communities were highlighted.
- The Calcutta High Court recently invalidated OBC certificates issued post-2010.
Kolkata, Jan 6 (NationPress) A panel from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has instructed the Railway Board to look into a complaint claiming that in 2010, during the tenure of Mamata Banerjee as the Railways Minister, a tender policy was modified to introduce reservations under the pretext of minority preference. This change reportedly diminished the statutory reservations for SC/ST/OBC categories, allegedly to benefit the Muslim community, which lacks constitutional backing in India.
Documents reveal that a reservation was established for minorities within the tendering process of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) for contracts related to railway catering stalls and canteens.
After securing her sixth consecutive Lok Sabha term from the Kolkata (Dakshin) constituency in 2009, Mamata Banerjee took on the role of Railways Minister in the UPA-II government led by the then-Prime Minister, Late Dr. Manmohan Singh.
She, however, stepped down from her ministerial role upon becoming the Chief Minister of West Bengal after the 2011 state Assembly elections, ending a 34-year regime of the Left Front.
During her brief tenure as railways minister from 2009 to 2011, she allegedly revised the policy to allocate a specified percentage of reservations for minorities within the IRCTC’s tendering process for railway catering services.
The issue was highlighted recently to the NHRC by the activist group Legal Rights Observatory. Following this, a bench led by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo issued a directive to the Railway Board to investigate the allegations and take necessary legal measures.
The complaint from the Legal Rights Observatory argued that this reservation was instituted for political appeasement and did not align with the Indian Constitution. It further contended that this reservation infringed upon the rights of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
According to the complaint, the reservation allotment for categories A, B, and C for minorities was set at 3%, while for categories D, E, and F, it stood at 9.5%.
It is worth mentioning that last year, the Calcutta High Court, led by Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Rajasekhar Mantha, annulled all OBC certificates issued by the West Bengal government post-2010, primarily because these certificates were predominantly awarded based on religion.
Additionally, the Election Commission of India (ECI) recently clarified that OBC certificates issued by the West Bengal government after 2010 will not be recognized as valid identity documents in ongoing sessions regarding claims and objections on the draft voters’ list in the state, which is part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Point of View
I believe this issue reflects the ongoing tension surrounding reservation policies in India. It raises critical questions about the balance between minority rights and the protections afforded to marginalized communities, which are essential for maintaining social equity in our diverse nation.
NationPress
07/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the 2010 tender policy amendment related to?
The amendment allegedly introduced reservations for minorities in the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation's tendering process, affecting the statutory reservations for SC/ST/OBC categories.
Who raised the complaint about the tender policy?
The complaint was raised by the activist group, Legal Rights Observatory, which argued that the policy was politically motivated and unconstitutional.
What did the NHRC direct the Railway Board to do?
The NHRC directed the Railway Board to investigate the allegations and take appropriate legal action regarding the policy amendment.
What were the reservation percentages mentioned in the complaint?
The complaint mentioned that the reservation for minorities was 3% for categories A, B, and C, and 9.5% for categories D, E, and F.
What recent ruling did the Calcutta High Court make regarding OBC certificates?
The Calcutta High Court annulled all OBC certificates issued by the West Bengal government after 2010, as most were granted based on religion.
