Is Andhra Pradesh Ready to Reinstate 100% Reservation for Tribals in Agency Areas?
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Synopsis
Andhra Pradesh's Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is pushing to restore <b>100% reservation</b> for local tribals in government roles. This effort follows the Supreme Court's annulment of the previous GO No. 3. Naidu's commitment reflects his electoral promise to uplift tribal communities. Will this initiative bring back lost opportunities for the Girijans?
Key Takeaways
- Commitment to Tribal Rights: The Andhra Pradesh government is focused on restoring job reservations for local tribals.
- Legal Challenges: The path to reinstating GO No. 3 involves navigating complex legal frameworks.
- Community Engagement: Officials are encouraged to gather feedback from tribal unions.
- Potential Options: Various strategies for reservation are under consideration to comply with constitutional norms.
- Impact on Employment: This initiative could significantly affect job opportunities for Girijans.
Amaravati, May 12 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, announced on Monday that the state government is dedicated to reinstating 100% reservation for local tribals in government job opportunities within agency areas. Naidu engaged in discussions with officials regarding the necessary measures to revive the GO No. 3, which was annulled by the Supreme Court in 2020.
The Chief Minister highlighted that this Government Order was initially enacted in the combined Andhra Pradesh back in 2000, aimed at guaranteeing 100% reservation for local tribals in government positions.
Naidu instructed officials to examine the feasibility of reinstating the GO while adhering to the guidelines and regulations established by the Supreme Court.
A five-judge Constitution Bench, led by Justice Arun Mishra and including Justices Indira Banerjee, Vineet Saran, MR Shah, and Aniruddha Bose, annulled a January 2000 order that had been issued by the former Governor of the previous Andhra Pradesh, which guaranteed 100% reservation for tribal candidates in teacher roles within scheduled areas. The court deemed the order “arbitrary” and unconstitutional.
Naidu pointed out that a GO issued in 1986 had granted 100% quota to Girijans in agency areas for teacher positions. Following some legal complications, GO No. 3 was introduced in 2000, also incorporating women's reservation. After its implementation, Girijans secured 4,626 teaching positions in agency areas, he noted.
With some individuals contesting GO No. 3, the Supreme Court ultimately nullified it in 2020 after extensive hearings. The Chief Minister noted that the previous government failed to file a review petition promptly, leading to the apex court's dismissal of the appeal, resulting in Girijans losing the advantages that GO No. 3 had provided.
During last year’s election campaign, Naidu assured tribal communities that if re-elected, he would work to either restore GO No. 3 or ensure justice through similar means. Consequently, he convened a meeting with officials to discuss the implications following the revocation of the GO and the strategies to reinstate the benefits for Girijans.
The meeting concentrated on the potential opportunities in agency areas to secure 100% quota in government jobs for tribals, examining available options and any legal barriers. The Chief Minister instructed officials to seek feedback from tribal and Girijan unions regarding the restoration of GO No. 3.
The officials presented three possible alternatives for restoring the GO. The first option is to grant 100% reservation to local Girijans, the second is to allocate quotas to tribals based on their demographic proportions, and the third is to safeguard the rights of tribals by ensuring reservations do not exceed 50%, in accordance with Supreme Court recommendations.
Naidu suggested that discussions should be conducted with legal and constitutional experts on a national scale.
Point of View
The ongoing discussions in Andhra Pradesh regarding the restoration of GO No. 3 reflect a vital commitment to addressing the rights and opportunities for tribal communities. It is essential for the government to navigate legal frameworks while ensuring that the interests of these communities are upheld. The balance between constitutional guidelines and social equity will be pivotal in shaping future policies.
NationPress
09/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GO No. 3?
GO No. 3 was a Government Order issued in 2000 providing 100% reservation for local tribals in government jobs in agency areas, which was annulled by the Supreme Court in 2020.
Why was GO No. 3 revoked?
The Supreme Court deemed the order 'arbitrary' and unconstitutional, stating it violated provisions of the Indian Constitution.
What are the options being considered for restoring the reservation?
Three options are being considered: 100% reservation for local Girijans, reservation based on population ratio, or a maximum of 50% reservation as per Supreme Court advice.
What was the promise made by Chief Minister Naidu during the elections?
He promised to either restore GO No. 3 or provide similar benefits to tribal communities if re-elected.
What impact did GO No. 3 have before it was revoked?
Before its revocation, GO No. 3 enabled Girijans to secure 4,626 teaching positions in agency areas.
