The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has directed the School Education Department to suspend its ongoing lecturer recruitment process, citing serious deficiencies in the roster registers maintained for implementing the state's reservation policy. The directive, issued on 27 July, follows an examination of records submitted by the department that revealed what the commission described as large-scale violations of constitutional safeguards for reserved categories.

What Triggered the Commission's Order

Commission Chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi said the Education Department submitted records on 14 July in response to information sought by the panel. On review, several critical deficiencies were identified. Selection lists for direct recruitment in the lecturer cadre covering the period 1990 to 2025 — including merit marks — have not been made available. The department reportedly cited the age of the records, stating it would require approximately two months to compile them.

'This raises the question of what basis the Roster Registers have been prepared,' the commission said in an official statement.

Key Deficiencies Found in Department Records

Verified copies of the original roster registers for subjects covered under the recruitment advertisement were not provided. Instead, the department submitted computerised copies listing currently working employees — a practice the commission said is not in accordance with rules.

Additionally, copies of no-objection certificates (NOCs) or approvals issued by the Welfare Department regarding de-reservation or carry-forward of reserved points for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes were also not furnished.

Constitutional Rights and Atrocity Act Invoked

Garhi stated that the incomplete records clearly indicate the School Education Department has committed violations of the state government's reservation policy and instructions issued over the years regarding preparation and maintenance of roster registers. He added that such violations infringe upon the constitutional rights of various reserved categories.

Notably, the commission invoked the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, stating that violations of reservation policy fall within the definition of 'Atrocity' under the legislation — a significant escalation that signals the gravity with which the panel views these lapses.

What the Commission Has Demanded

The commission has directed that all subsequent stages of the lecturer recruitment process be put on hold until the following are provided: original roster registers of the concerned cadres, selection lists with merit marks, and NOC or approval copies pertaining to carry-forward or de-reservation of reserved points. The hold applies to recruitment across all lecturer cadres concerned, with the rights of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, Women, and other reserved categories cited as the basis.

An action taken report has been sought by 3 August. The Education Department's response to the commission's directive will determine whether the recruitment process can resume or faces a longer suspension pending records verification.